Hello

First time poster here looking for a bit of advice! My 9 year old Westie, Robbie, was hit by a van yesterday when my mum was walking him. She said that the thump was so loud she thought it was dead, and that he somersaulted through the air......but thankfully, after a night in dog hospital it seems that physically he's absolutely fine, just with a badly bruised side and a front-leg limp which hopefully should be temporary.

However, his behaviour has been really disturbing. He's always been quite a nervous and anxious dog and he usually has quite a loud yappy bark when he's been upset by something or if he wants attention. But ever since he's been back, he can't bear to be in the same room as anyone. He gets up and limps to somewhere else, or he goes to the door and whines to be left out. He's spent four hours lying in the middle of the lawn staring into space. He's also started making some really strange crying sounds we've never head him make before, rather than the typical bark.

Has anyone heard of dogs getting post traumatic stress before? Any ideas of how we can help him if we can't give him cuddles to make him feel better? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Oh my gosh, poor little chap! I've had 2 Westies before so do have a reasonable knowledge of the breed, but never come across anything like this. My instinct would be to take him back to the vet I think, to absolutely make sure there's nothing physically wrong - did they do x-rays? Is he eating and drinking?

Hello strictlyfloss, thanks for your reply. Yes, he is eating and drinking, although he's never been a particularly big eater (unlike our other one, who is a pig in Westie form), and they did do xrays, so nothing's broken. I'm just a bit worried about his mental state of mind, although I guess if I had been hit by a van I don't think I'd be particularly with it either...

Well it's good that he's eating and drinking - can you maybe spoil him a bit with his favourite titbits so that he forgets his troubles and comes to you for a bit of love? No matter what the trauma, my Westie would have walked over hot coals for a bit of cheese! Maybe take him somewhere he particularly likes for a little walk tomorrow if he's up to it? I think I'd definitely go back to the vet if there's no improvement by Monday though, just in case there's something underlying which they didn't pick up before, like a bleed for example.

Keep us updated won't you! I absolutely adore Westies, I hate to think of one suffering!

Hi

I am so sorry for what's happened to your wee dog. I have a very nervous cat and got a product called Feliway and it helped her immensly, they don't do it for dogs but I googled and spotted this on a website which may give you an idea on how to help him.

http://www.nutrecare.co.uk/Product-1...til-DAP-Collar

I hope you find something to help.

piper

Poor little chap - I'd be worried about a concusion. Emotional trauma could explain it, but I'd be more worried about a physical cause.

Please give your vet a phone call and ask their advice x

Edit - what pain relief is he on? My dog trips out when he has Tramadol and sits there staring, comfortably numb.

Poor little thing. Yes, all animals get PTSD, its a natural reaction to either an acute shock or long-term exposure to certain conditions, e.g. Animal veterans and animals rescued from abuse. But please do call your vet as soon as you can, as stressmonkey advised, just in case there is a physical cause.

Also, if he's on any painkillers those may be having an effect.

Once the vet's given him the all clear, yes make a little fuss of him but not too much more than usual. Normality is the best way to bring him back from whichever magical place he's visiting in his mind.

Thanks everyone - thought I would just give you a little update. He's due to go back to the vets tomorrow morning for a check-up, but we think we might call the vets now for a bit of reassurance.

He's now started lying in the same room as us but crying for 20 seconds or so randomly, then shifting his position and being quiet again. I think he's just doing it because he's in pain and is trying to tell us, but he's on really strong painkillers already? Will let you know what the vet says if any one's interested

Oh yes - please do let us know OP. I'd been wondering how he was doing, sorry to hear there's no improvement.

It really does sound like he's in pain doesn't it? Sooooooo frustrating when they can't tell you what's wrong!

Bless the wee soul, he's probably in pain.

Animals get over trauma a lot quicker than humans, so just keep giving him loads of love and he'll hopefully get better soon.

Royal Canin do a food called "calm", I haven't used it myself but apparantly it "Helps dogs of under 15 kg manage stressful situations
Contributes to fight against stress-related digestive and skin manifestations
As support for behavioural therapy initiated for anxiety disorders"

You can buy it here if you think it would be helpful http://www.monsterpetsupplies.co.uk/...LAID=914153331

Any news OP?

Well he's always loved his walks, but the vet warned us he probably wouldn't be up for one for a week or so. But he saw us pick up the lead for the other one as we were sneaking out the back and he got so excited, wagging his tail and doing his little crying noise rather than the regular yappy bark! I think his ribs might be bruised which is why he doesn't seem to be barking at the moment. So we took him for a little one in the woods and he was so happy, brighter than he's ever been since the accident, although he stuck to hobbling along the path on three legs rather than his regular off-roading through the undergrowth. Since he's returned he's been back to his quieter self, though maybe that's just because the painkillers we gave him with his lunch are pretty strong.

The vet told us to stick with the appointment tomorrow unless something drastic happened throughout the day. He's going to check his leg again and maybe do another x-ray of the front to see if he's got a hairline crack (for some reason they've only x-rayed his side so far). I'm going back to work tomorrow but my mum's promised to mention all the calming dog treatments people are suggested here to see which one the vet thinks is best - thanks so much for your kind comments everyone, they've made me feel much better

Ah that's good news! Sounds like he's really on the mend now, what a relief for you OP! Fingers crossed he'll go on to make a full recovery now. I hope all goes well tomorrow at the vet's - keep us updated won't you! And give Robbie an extra cuddle from me

Hope all was reassuring with the vet today? Last year, our four month old pup broke his leg very badly in a freak accident at home. He went to our vets then to a specialist vet for surgery and spent 6 days away from us. We had him home a few days but he was in quite obvious pain even with strong painkillers so he then had to spend a further two days in hospital. The poor thing was on strict rest for eight weeks and we had no choice but to keep him penned in. Admittedly we spoilt him with gentle cuddles and I was so worried he'd be somehow different afterwards. He was quiet and he must have been confused too; now six months on, he's bouncy, friendly and adorable. He still limps occasionally so we give him arnica which you can pick up from your local chemist. The breeder we brought him off recommended this and it really helps ease pain and aids recovery.

Get well soon wishes to westie, he'll be back to his old self soon with that extra talc you are giving him.