r/BoxerDogs • u/Ok_Industry4950 • 16d ago
Senior dog biting
My boy just celebrated his 13th birthday a few months ago. He has always been the sweetest guy, who was amazing with my kids. Not an aggressive bone in his body. Last week he bit a relative who we asked to stop in and let him outside. He git her arm and broke the skin. I was shocked. He has some arthritis so we assumed she was trying to force him outside and he was scared and sore. I assumed it must have been a one off because my brother watched him all week and had no issues.
Well Today he tried to bite my 11 year old son and just missing his arm. My son said he patted him gently on thr shoulder trying to get him to go outside. He has had multiple UTI's in the last year so we are trying to get him out often. Its the first thing they do when they get home from school.
I made an appt for thr vet tomorrow because my first thought is he is in pain. He hasnt been acting diffrent (other than sleeping alot). Its so hard watching them get old and im feeling so upset.
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u/Shortbus-doorgunner 16d ago
Oh no! Vet is definitely the way to go, since that will rule out serious pain or any sort of dementia or anxiety disorder that comes with age.
Hopefully just a fluke, though ❤️
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u/StopBrilliant8552 16d ago
I had a senior dog with similar issues- got her on doggy Prozac for the last few years of life and it was a great decision for us.
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u/boxerboyKhan 16d ago
He's probably in pain, unfortunately. You'll have to manage him better and restrict access to him until you figure out what's going on for the safety of everyone involved. Sorry you're going through this.
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u/Alternative_Eye2664 15d ago
My boxer lady attitude changed also as she was was getting above 10yrs old. I think too that his reaction may be due to the fact he is in pain or that he is scared might be hurt so he tries to prevent contact (“stay away”). May be Arthritis (if this is the case Librela did miracles with my boxer).
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u/Guzmanv_17 15d ago
He’s sick, not feeling well or in pain. He prob needs a lot of love, patience and space during this part of his life.
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u/Ok_Industry4950 15d ago
Thanks everyone. The vet had him admitted for the day to do testing. His bloodwork was fine and our Vet is really at a loss why a male dog keeps getting these severe UTI's. Having another sonogram done today. Fingers crossed we get some more info because he cant keep going through this every few months.
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u/Jensivfjourney 14d ago
Any update? I know medical things can take a while but wanted to ask.
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u/Ok_Industry4950 14d ago
Thanks for checking. Tests found nothing. Kidneys good. Nothing on Sonogram. They gave us 60 days of antibiotics. Vets only idea is that he has a lot of nueroligical weakness in his back end (his back legs splay out often) and its causing bladder issues leading to UTI. She said there is nothing they can really do for that and will get worse. Hoping the meds clear up his pain for now. If the UTI comes back after the meds we wil have to have a serious conversation.
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u/Low-Day1283 15d ago
brother, you said yourself the dog has had multiple utis-I would definitely think he is in pain. Sorry this happened with your kid.
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u/principalgal 14d ago
Mine started getting aggressive and it turned out to be a brain tumor. Doc did some neuro assessments (flipping his paws, some other things). Mine also eventually started having the quiet seizures. We used seizure meds until we said goodbye a few weeks later because his bites became much more aggressive.
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u/Flimsy_Control_8246 15d ago
My 15yo senior is a bit blind, deaf and sore but the real Issue in his behavior changes was due to a slow
onset of dementia and anxiety. We put him on doggy Prozac and he is SO much happier, calmer, and settled… and so are we. I’m sad I didn’t think of trying it until he was 14 when he could have been happier for so much longer.
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u/oddolive_ 14d ago
I’d definitely see a vet, my dog - though he’s only 6 - he is a sweet heart and wouldn’t ever bite our family. I’ve noticed when he’s not feeling well he tends to be on the grumpier side like that. I hope they’re okay, wishing you guys only the very best 🥺
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u/surfaceofthesun1 16d ago
Vet. Something is wrong. He’s almost certainly in pain. Have them also check his eyes for glaucoma, my senior had it and started acting gruff, I didn’t realize what was going on but it’s very very painful and eventually they go blind so it needs to be caught early.