Cavalier with OCD?

[gemtwinks]

I have a six year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who is more than a little odd. Background: purchased from a young woman who could no longer give him the care he needed, she bought him direct from a local breeder. He has received regular veterinary check ups and preventive care (vaccines, heartworm, etc). Neutered at around two years old. He is 100 percent healthy except for some very strange behaviors.

One Friday night (why is it ALWAYS outside regular office hours?) he started chasing his tail with great speed and abandon. Quite amusing for the first minute. Two hours later we were on our way to the emergency clinic at the local university. I thought he must be having seizures or something. By the time we got there he was completely worn out and only occasionally going after his tail. All bloodwork came back normal and  they found nothing wrong. We learned to chastise him as soon as we noticed him starting again and it has not devolved into that alarmingly frantic level of activity since.

Newer behavior, but ongoing for three or more years now is continual licking at the air. He doesn't lick at himself much (occasionally kind of obsessive about licking his privates), nor does he have any lick granulomas. He arches his back in a strange posture with his muzzle straight up in the air if you scratch the area near his hips. He seems to enjoy it in spite of the posturing, his tail wags and he nuzzles up to you if you stop.

Can dogs have obsessive compulsive disorder?

I love this little guy, even for a CKCS he is extraordinarily sweet and loveable. Sometimes I worry that there is something really wrong with him. My vet's opinion is if he's otherwise happy and healthy not to worry. Could this be an unusual presentation of syringomyeleitis? If so, is there anything really to be done?

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M.]

I think your dog may have a seizure disorder and should be investigated by a neurologist.  Prior to your visit to a neurologist, videotape your dog when he exhibits any unusual behavior of any sort so that you can play the disk for the neurologist.  Since you live near a veterinary teaching hospital, this may be the best location to find a veterinary neurologist.  Most seizure disorders can be treated successful with traditional medication and with Chinese and Western herbal medication.

Please google Dr. Roger Clemmons, the renowned veterinary neurologist from the Veterinary School of the Florida State University, Gainesville, FL. Dr. Clemmons has had excellent success with seizure disorders using an integrative approach, i.e.: traditional seizure medication and Chinese and Western Herbal Medicine.  

There are a couple of Over the counter treatments that I recommend you do at home which may help (but not cure the problems) ; these include adding 400 IU of natural Vitamin E daily by mouth to his diet and melatonin 2 mg, to be given by mouth only at night.  

[gemtwinks]

Thank you very much for your response, I'll try the OTC reccomendations. Once I've got my own doctor visits and health issues straightened out, I'll get this sweet little guy to neuro at the university. After I get some video.