separation anxiety?

darwinsmom · #1 10-01-2009, 07:08 PM

I am wondering if my 7 y.o. male has possibly developed separation anxiety. He had orthopedic surgery 9 weeks ago and has been on restricted activity ever since. He went through some medical issues following the surgery, but now is doing very well. He has never been crated and we have approached his recovery time by near constant supervision - he is typically left alone only for 1-4 hours several times a week. He has a boxer sister who is 18 months old and a ball of energy. They are separated when unsupervised.

Anyway, the "symptoms" include defecating (and sometimes urinating) in the house even when he has recently relieved himself. It doesn't happen every time but it has happened repeatedly. There are no symptoms of digestive problems (normal stool, no vomiting etc...). Also he will not go outside unless someone goes with him and we have to step outside first. Because of his surgery, for the first 6 weeks he was always on leash when we went outside, but for several weeks now someone will just accompany him.

Thoughts? I am starting to worry about what will happen when we transition back to a more normal work schedule. Hopefully he will be cleared to start walks again next week.

Thanks,
Karlyn

ELubas · #2 10-02-2009, 05:54 AM

What preceded the surgery? An injury? Just wondering if he has developed a fear of going out for some reason? Poor guy

darwinsmom · #3 10-02-2009, 02:30 PM

He tore his cranial cruciate ligament and had TPLO, a procedure where they cut the tibia to change the angle of the knee and make it stable. I don't think the injury has caused a fear of the outside. His behavior was unchanged for the two weeks before diagnosis and surgery. I think he has just become accustomed to constant companionship. He has always been unhappy at being left alone but has never acted out before (excluding his puppy days).