My dog started to suddenly leap up for no apparent reason

[kenucklehead]

My dog, an Australian Shepherd, is 4y8m. About a month ago, she started to exhibit an odd behaviour. While lying down, for no apparent reason, she leaps up and freaks out. I notice this because I have hard wood floors and the nails of her hind paws suddenly make scratching noises. She does this so suddenly, her hind paws don't get any traction and it's like she's running on the spot, slipping and scratching up my floors!

I've had these floors for 3 years and she has never done anything like this until the past month. It's disconcerting because I don't know what's causing it and because she's scratching the hell out of my relatively new floors. She does this several times a day.

On a possibly related note, she has epilepsy and has been on Phenobarbital for the past 2.5 years. She's been seizure free for the past year and a half. I haven't notice any other odd behaviour and when I catch her doing this, she appears alert and aware.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[kenucklehead]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Taking her to the vet today so hopefully can get to the bottom of this.

[skeeley]

Did you ever find out what was wrong?  This is happening to my 14 yr old Havanese.  We have been to the vet and through all kinds of testing (blood work, internal medicine, neurology, tried many anti-anxiety meds, etc).   We can not figure anything out.  Thanks.

[kenucklehead]

Nothing definitive but the behaviour stopped. Unfortunately, she started having seizures so there is a possibility it was related to that. She is now clear of seizures so...

[Misfits4Me]

Good Job! Let us know what you find out...Good luck, Karla

[kenucklehead]

Sigh... vet couldn't find anything. Anal gland was all good. Flea comb came out clean. Vet seemed to think everything was normal so couldn't come up with a reason for the behaviour. Still, in case they're there and we just couldn't find them, she's on flea medication. Frustrating.

[Meg1008]

You're not alone...my two mini pins have the same problem too, for about maybe one year now... I started to think if it has something to do with....We had a hunting cat before. The cat took many animals home and killed them alive. For sure those little poor ghosts died in “tragedy’ in our house...Just guessing my two babies might have been haunted by them. Well…maybe not because I can’t see why it did not happen right away and started recently. Two of them…always suddenly jump out of the bed or leap out of where they are at. It looks like they were shocked and scared by something because their tails are always down and they look like a loser while experiencing this. However, the next second they will be fine. I even asked an animal communicator to ask my dog about this. My dog Hanna said that it was a psychical type of thing.  She herself did not know why and was always shocked by herself too.

[SandraWinans2016]

Paranormal..that's exactly my first thought when my dog does this.

[Meg1008]

You're not alone...my two mini pins have the same problem too, for about maybe one year now... I started to think if it has something to do with....We had a hunting cat before. The cat took many animals home and killed them alive. For sure those little poor ghosts died in “tragedy’ in our house...Just guessing my two babies might have been haunted by them. Well…maybe not because I can’t see why it did not happen right away and started recently. Two of them…always suddenly jump out of the bed or leap out of where they are at. It looks like they were shocked and scared by something because their tails are always down and they look like a loser while experiencing this. However, the next second they will be fine. I even asked an animal communicator to ask my dog about this. My dog Hanna said that it was a psychical type of thing.  She herself did not know why and was always shocked by herself too.

[jeniremi]

My Pug just started doing this about a week ago. She is on Frontline and her butt doesn't smell like tuna (anal glands). When she jumps up, it is so sudden and she is lying down and resting when this happens.
She is 7 years old and I am wondering if it is a nerve/hip thing like one of the others said.
I'm going to keep an eye on her and let you guys know if I find anything out.
Take Care

[skeeley]

Did you ever find out what was wrong?  This is happening to my 14 yr old Havanese.  We have been to the vet and through all kinds of testing (blood work, internal medicine, neurology, tried many anti-anxiety meds, etc).   We can not figure anything out.  Thanks.

[Ami0007]

Skeely - it is now over a year later since you you have asked for any updates and Im sorry you're Havi is going through this too. I have a 13 year old Jack Russell who is doing the same. In a dead sleep and bolts up and off the end of the recliner. I thought maybe fleas too but he's on flea medication and I have not seen him scratch once. I had gotten a rescue dog for him to have a companion for separation anxiety when he was 1 and I had to put her down about 6 weeks ago. He's always been skiddish, but nothing like this. I have noticed he's been shaking his head on occasion but doesnt ever scratch his ears but I'm wondering if it could still be something related to his inner ear or psychosis of some sort. Anyhow, I figured I'd reach out to see if anyone ever found out anything concrete about this.

[Wil_D]

And now it’s been over a year since you wrote this! Did you or anyone else ever determine the cause? Our 12 year old has been experiencing this for a few months. Help!