Hi All,

We have a gorgeous 11 month old Flatcoated retriever, Alfie.  He is delightful - well behaved (most of the time - occasionally cheeky!), a real loving companion.

However, last night he came upstairs 4 times during the night (he is not allowed upstairs, and so far has not pushed this rule but sits with his head on the bottom stair) and was crying.  When we took him outside he neither weed or pooed, but cried and then eventually settled.  On the 4th time, we allowed him to stay upstairs, and within 15 minutes he launched onto the bed (a definite no no) where we allowed him to stay as we were worried.  He did not settle.  Everytime he looked like he was almost asleep he suddenly jumped up and changed position (He didn't stay on the bed long!) but even on the floor he was tossing and turning every 5 minutes.

We are wondering what to do.  Yesterday evening was not a normal one as we had a housewarming party, so he may have been unsettled by that (although he is well socialised and used to big groups of people, and no one wound him up).  He is pretty shattered at the minute as we have had a holiday so been for a couple of long walks, and a canoe trip in the last fortnight.  The last few days he has been a little picky with his food (very unusual for this flatcoat who usually gobbles his dinner in 2 minutes flat!).  He has eaten, but it's been much more considered.  I'm considering taking him to the vets, but wonder whether there is a simple answer? (I very much doubt, but I thought i'd give it a shot!).  He is still on puppy food - wonder whether we should change to adult munch?  He is on purina puppy robust.

Many thanks in advance
Rachel

Hiya,

I would certainly take him to the vets as he obviously seems in distress it's best to rule out him being in pain or poorly.  It could be that he was very stressed/worked up by the party and just found it hard to come down from raised adrenaline or it could be a bit of that and then something scared him in the night?

Certainly though if it is really out of character then my first port of call would be the vets for piece of mind :-)  particularly given that he wouldn't settle even when he came in with you. Hope it turns out to be nothing to worry about.

A vet visit is definitely needed. Your description is that of a dog in some sort of pain - probably abdominal. Best to get him checked out before the weekend.

Hi Rachel - was your boy on the go all evening - up to the point you went to bed?

It is possible for them to get overtired and then find it difficult to settle.  If they have been very active too they seem to need a wind down time, much like an athlete would presumably.  The tossing and turning every 5 minutes describes my HWV after a long walk but after a while he'll finally slump

I don't disagree with a vet visit, I always err on the side of caution, but this might be your 'simple' answer.  The other thing to remember is that he'd had company all evening and was probably also feeling a bit left out when you 'suddenly' (in his eyes) switched the lights off and went to bed.  You can expect some boundary pushing about now :)

My only other concern would be that he might have snaffled something inappropriate during the party...

Not read the other replies, so sorry if I'm repeating anything, but I would get the vet to check him. Flatties are notorious for not making a fuss if they are ill - they are too cheery and waggy - so it would be wise to check. Sometimes if they're trying to sleep then jump up, it can be things like infected anal glands. As you say parties, or unexpected events can sometimes unsettle them - but if you're worried about him I'd be inclined to go and sleep downstairs with him rather than let him upstairs/on bed if it's not the usual routine, as changes in routine and your behavious/ anxiety can unsettle them more if something's unsettled them. Hope that's some help - sorry, my brain isn't in gear at the moment.

I'd be at the vets too, inability to settle could possibly indicate pain. You say you had a gathering, is it possible that someone fed him something they shouldn't or that he helped himself to something?

Hope they sort him out quickly,

Is there any chance he ate something he shouldn't have at your housewarming party? Non dog people aren't very good at remembering not to leave food unattended on plates however much you remind them. Did you have chicken legs that he may have helped himself to?

If your Flatcoat puppy is unable to settle then obviously something is wrong, and as the others have posted needs a visit to the vets.   If a Flatcoat is crying when he is in your company then something is not right, could be a pulled muscle, a knock,(are there any tender areas/any lameness) or something that he has pinched and eaten which you have not noticed (causing possibly abdominal pain).   Are there any other symptoms?

Puppy food is fine for him we keep ours on a suitable food for age usually changing to a junior food suitable for large breed dogs at 18 months (there are many choices on the market).  He should be on two meals a day at 11 months, and our adults are always fed twice a day, two smaller meals rather than 1 large meal, to try and lessen the incidence of gastric torsion.

let us know how you get on.

My other sudden thought with the discussion of eating things they shouldn't is that flatties have a propensity for eating underwear, especially socks, which can cause blockages. No missing garments are there?

Hello all,

Thanks so much for concern and excellent advice.  We went to the vet, who checked him over.  She thinks a combination of tiredness and a cold type bug - lots of TLC necessary but thankfully no abdominal problems.

We could never discount him eating things he shouldn't (typical flattie!) but we are so relieved he is ok!

Hopefully tonight will be quieter!

Thanks again
Rachel and Alfie

Excellent - so pleased. :o)