recent toy clingy/depression problem (bitch)

joolz · 01-05-2006, 02:59 AM

Hey guys, my Bitch Brody has recently developed a severe clingy depression related to a squeaky toy that she has had for a long time (the toy not the problem lol)

For about the past week she has been carrying this little orange squeaky ball (i read the other problem with the male dog who protects his orange ball!) But instead of protecting it, she whines with it in her mouth, does not eat or drink and rarely goes outside. She takes this thing EVERYWHERE and has lost her fun attitude, she seems very depressed and whinges constantly (shes doing it now) I have a feeling she may be about to be on heat, is this some kind of mothering gesture? As she very delicately picks it up and grooms it. She shows little affection to me or my partner now unless we are going for walkies when shes fine and normal.

She also appears to be very frightened of us approaching the ball and shivers. I have tried taking the ball off her but she gets even worse and franatically looks for it. Basically she sits in a corner with this ball whining and does nothing else. I guess she thinks it's a baby right? any help would be much appreciated, thanks

Crossfire Bulldogs · 01-05-2006, 05:56 AM

It sounds to me like your girl is having some real problems with her hormones and should be seen by a veterinarian. Typically when an unspayed bitch begins to display this type of behavior it only gets worse with each cycle.

I'm not sure why your girl isn't spayed but that would be my suggestion. At any rate discussing it with your vet would be the best option before things get too far out of hand. jmo

Shalva · 01-05-2006, 06:59 AM

ditto..... to what crossfire said..... I dont know when she last came out of season but if it was about 63 days ago then you are in the midst of a nasty false pregnancy.......

a vet check is in order .....
S

mrsgrubby · 01-05-2006, 07:25 AM

I too was thinking that she is probably haveing a false pregnancy. Please take her to your vet and explain what is going on.

Also talk about spaying her. This could get worse.

joolz · 01-08-2006, 05:20 AM

Thanks a lot guys, I too was thinking the same about a false pregnancy of some kind, she definitely thinks this ball is her baby and looks confused a lot about it! I have however, taken the ball away from her 2 days ago. She is completely back to her normal happy self, but I guess it'll happen again with another toy (squeaky chicken leg looks like new contender)

A vets visit is in order. She had her nails clipped just before christmas and a check over where the vet said she was fine and happy...

Again yes you are correct she was last on heat from my calender on the 8th of october.

Thanks a lot for your help guys

Joolz

Shalva · 01-08-2006, 07:04 AM

but why is she intact?????
s

shandoggy1 · 01-08-2006, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joolz

Thanks a lot guys, I too was thinking the same about a false pregnancy of some kind, she definitely thinks this ball is her baby and looks confused a lot about it! I have however, taken the ball away from her 2 days ago. She is completely back to her normal happy self, but I guess it'll happen again with another toy (squeaky chicken leg looks like new contender)

A vets visit is in order. She had her nails clipped just before christmas and a check over where the vet said she was fine and happy...

Again yes you are correct she was last on heat from my calender on the 8th of october.

Thanks a lot for your help guys

Joolz

I agree with Shalva, Why is she not fixed if you rescued her from a pound. You should really get her Spayed

shandoggy1 · 01-08-2006, 08:17 AM

Maybe they don't spay and neuter in the United Kingdom like we do here meaning that it is more common in the states

. I just read your introduction to see where you are from

"Some countries" aren't big on fixing there animals but they also don't seem to have an overflow in shelters either.

BellFounder · 01-08-2006, 04:33 PM

most shelters in the UK give out papers which have to be signed by a vet within six months to say the animal has been fixed. I cant imagine any shelter being very pleased to find out a dog they adopted out was still intact. We still have a massive overflow in our shelters too - not to quite the same extent as the US but nearly there, neutering is probably about the same frequency as in the US, those who have all the information and make an informed decision USUALLY neuter, those who dont, tend not to unless they encounter a problem making it necessary. Of course we still have men who are simply squeamish about parting a dog from his "manhood" but they tend not to be the same about females for some reason. lol.

joolz · 01-09-2006, 01:55 AM

Hey yeah here in the UK it is not normal for a pound to neuter a dog, we don't have a serious overflow of dogs and no wild, especially in the city where i live. They offer you advice about it when you rescue a dog but i've only had her a few months and I'm sure it's the best thing for her but I didn't want to be the one to remove her purpose in life straight away! I will consult her vet as the vet has not pushed this idea to me at all as a serious concern.

shandoggy1 · 01-09-2006, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joolz

Hey yeah here in the UK it is not normal for a pound to neuter a dog, we don't have a serious overflow of dogs and no wild, especially in the city where i live. They offer you advice about it when you rescue a dog but i've only had her a few months and I'm sure it's the best thing for her but I didn't want to be the one to remove her purpose in life straight away! I will consult her vet as the vet has not pushed this idea to me at all as a serious concern.

I just don't understand why anyone would want to keep an intact female mixed breed, you can't breed her so what is the sense and what if an accident happens? Especially with her clingy behavior with toys and being depressed I think it would be a wise decision to have her spayed. She could one day become aggressive with something or someone when she is in season. Good luck!

Shalva · 01-09-2006, 04:33 PM

the other important issue Joolz is that puppies are born into a progesterone environment.... this means that every time a bitch comes into season and is not bred, the uterus is awash in progesterone, this opens any bitch up to a serious uterine infection as every time this happens the risk of pyometra increases. No bitch that is not going to be bred should be kept intact.... while I do recommend allowing a bitch puppy to come into season one time to reach sexual maturity before being spayed, it is not healthy for the bitch to repeatedly come into season, it is much safer health wise for her to be spayed.
S

linnie · 01-09-2006, 09:59 PM

Boy this sure has gone off the topic.
Just to get back on track can you let us know how the vet visit goes

purplemidget · 08-27-2006, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shandoggy1

Maybe they don't spay and neuter in the United Kingdom like we do here meaning that it is more common in the states

. I just read your introduction to see where you are from

"Some countries" aren't big on fixing there animals but they also don't seem to have an overflow in shelters either.

I live in England ,When i got maisie i was advised by the vet to have her spayed if i wasnt going to breed her, they told me to wait till she was 6 months old..which i did , my doctor didnt have her dog done which needed an emergency operation done when she got a severe infection which nearly killed her ..the dog was 11 years old at the time it must have been alot harder to get over at that age.

IceyBlueSibes · 08-27-2006, 05:52 PM

This is a pretty old topic, but I can relate to the OP!

Denali was the same way with a little red ball that talked. She carried it around everywhere, whined constantly, groomed it, carried it very carefully, etc. We tried putting it in the garage, but she saw us do it and she sat at the door scratching and whining. So we put it in a pile of clothes and she finally got over it. NEVER again will we get one of those toys! LOL I don't remember if she was fixed or not when she did this behavior, but I don't think she was. She does something similar to a couple of other toys. We call them her "babies" and she only gets supervised play with them because she becomes aggressive to the other dogs when they're down. She whines alot and wants to show it to everyone, but she's not nearly obessed like she was with the ball. When you throw the toys, she looks at you like "*GASP* OMG ARE YOU NUTS??!?!?" LOL

01-05-2006, 02:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
joolz Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	recent toy clingy/depression problem (bitch) Hey guys, my Bitch Brody has recently developed a severe clingy depression related to a squeaky toy that she has had for a long time (the toy not the problem lol) For about the past week she has been carrying this little orange squeaky ball (i read the other problem with the male dog who protects his orange ball!) But instead of protecting it, she whines with it in her mouth, does not eat or drink and rarely goes outside. She takes this thing EVERYWHERE and has lost her fun attitude, she seems very depressed and whinges constantly (shes doing it now) I have a feeling she may be about to be on heat, is this some kind of mothering gesture? As she very delicately picks it up and grooms it. She shows little affection to me or my partner now unless we are going for walkies when shes fine and normal. She also appears to be very frightened of us approaching the ball and shivers. I have tried taking the ball off her but she gets even worse and franatically looks for it. Basically she sits in a corner with this ball whining and does nothing else. I guess she thinks it's a baby right? any help would be much appreciated, thanks
joolz Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0

01-05-2006, 05:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 284	It sounds to me like your girl is having some real problems with her hormones and should be seen by a veterinarian. Typically when an unspayed bitch begins to display this type of behavior it only gets worse with each cycle. I'm not sure why your girl isn't spayed but that would be my suggestion. At any rate discussing it with your vet would be the best option before things get too far out of hand. jmo
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

01-08-2006, 05:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
joolz Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	Thanks a lot guys, I too was thinking the same about a false pregnancy of some kind, she definitely thinks this ball is her baby and looks confused a lot about it! I have however, taken the ball away from her 2 days ago. She is completely back to her normal happy self, but I guess it'll happen again with another toy (squeaky chicken leg looks like new contender) A vets visit is in order. She had her nails clipped just before christmas and a check over where the vet said she was fine and happy... Again yes you are correct she was last on heat from my calender on the 8th of october. Thanks a lot for your help guys Joolz
joolz Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0

01-08-2006, 08:17 AM	#8 (permalink)
shandoggy1 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 1,209 Rep Power: 97	Maybe they don't spay and neuter in the United Kingdom like we do here meaning that it is more common in the states . I just read your introduction to see where you are from "Some countries" aren't big on fixing there animals but they also don't seem to have an overflow in shelters either.
	__________________ *Australian Cattle Dog "Herd'em up, Move'em out"*

01-09-2006, 01:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
joolz Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	Hey yeah here in the UK it is not normal for a pound to neuter a dog, we don't have a serious overflow of dogs and no wild, especially in the city where i live. They offer you advice about it when you rescue a dog but i've only had her a few months and I'm sure it's the best thing for her but I didn't want to be the one to remove her purpose in life straight away! I will consult her vet as the vet has not pushed this idea to me at all as a serious concern.
joolz Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0

01-05-2006, 06:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
Shalva Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: here...pointing to palm of right hand Posts: 442 Rep Power: 0	ditto..... to what crossfire said..... I dont know when she last came out of season but if it was about 63 days ago then you are in the midst of a nasty false pregnancy....... a vet check is in order ..... S

01-05-2006, 07:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
mrsgrubby Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,476 Rep Power: 144	I too was thinking that she is probably haveing a false pregnancy. Please take her to your vet and explain what is going on. Also talk about spaying her. This could get worse.

01-08-2006, 07:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
Shalva Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: here...pointing to palm of right hand Posts: 442 Rep Power: 0	but why is she intact????? s

01-08-2006, 04:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
BellFounder Collie girl Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 399 Rep Power: 81	most shelters in the UK give out papers which have to be signed by a vet within six months to say the animal has been fixed. I cant imagine any shelter being very pleased to find out a dog they adopted out was still intact. We still have a massive overflow in our shelters too - not to quite the same extent as the US but nearly there, neutering is probably about the same frequency as in the US, those who have all the information and make an informed decision USUALLY neuter, those who dont, tend not to unless they encounter a problem making it necessary. Of course we still have men who are simply squeamish about parting a dog from his "manhood" but they tend not to be the same about females for some reason. lol.

01-09-2006, 04:33 PM	#12 (permalink)
Shalva Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: here...pointing to palm of right hand Posts: 442 Rep Power: 0	the other important issue Joolz is that puppies are born into a progesterone environment.... this means that every time a bitch comes into season and is not bred, the uterus is awash in progesterone, this opens any bitch up to a serious uterine infection as every time this happens the risk of pyometra increases. No bitch that is not going to be bred should be kept intact.... while I do recommend allowing a bitch puppy to come into season one time to reach sexual maturity before being spayed, it is not healthy for the bitch to repeatedly come into season, it is much safer health wise for her to be spayed. S

01-09-2006, 09:59 PM	#13 (permalink)
linnie tibbie girl Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 3,051 Rep Power: 171	Boy this sure has gone off the topic. Just to get back on track can you let us know how the vet visit goes
	__________________ Caution...Dogs can leave footprints on your heart

08-27-2006, 05:52 PM	#15 (permalink)
IceyBlueSibes Eyes = Mirror to the soul Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jupiter, Fla. Posts: 7,754 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 272	This is a pretty old topic, but I can relate to the OP! Denali was the same way with a little red ball that talked. She carried it around everywhere, whined constantly, groomed it, carried it very carefully, etc. We tried putting it in the garage, but she saw us do it and she sat at the door scratching and whining. So we put it in a pile of clothes and she finally got over it. NEVER again will we get one of those toys! LOL I don't remember if she was fixed or not when she did this behavior, but I don't think she was. She does something similar to a couple of other toys. We call them her "babies" and she only gets supervised play with them because she becomes aggressive to the other dogs when they're down. She whines alot and wants to show it to everyone, but she's not nearly obessed like she was with the ball. When you throw the toys, she looks at you like "GASP OMG ARE YOU NUTS??!?!?" LOL
	__________________ Sheiba, Denali, Ike, Nitro (Siberian Husky), Kelso (GSD x), Lugar (Boxer/Pit x), Willah (Shepherd/Husky x), Tibby, Cheech, Chong (Chihuahua), and any foster we have in the house! 9 Kitty cats!

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