So Very Sad...RIP Kermit

[thebritt]

Last night we had a tragedy occur. My daughter's favorite dog - a border collie she rescued at 4 mos. and did agility with (4 titles) and her best friend - killed her green cheeked conure - her other best friend. For 6 years the dog and bird hung out side-by-side with my DD. Never any sign of trouble. My DD and her boyfriend, and Kermit and Althea (the dog), were all hanging out in DD's room. DD and her BF left her room and came into the kitchen. When they went back into her room, there was Althea with a crushed Kermit. DD yelled, "Althea killed Bird!". I ran into her room in total disbelief, and there was Kermit, dead.

We are all totally devastated. Whenever someone would walk past Kermit's cage (which was next to the entrance of the kitchen in the living room) she'd say, "I love you".
Althea's been on medication for siezures and her thyroid, and lately her behaviour has been bizzar - play-biting (but hard), which she never used to do, pacing, and she has a "far-away" look in her eyes. But no one ever thought this could happen. Althea's been with baby chicks, pet rodents, etc, and this was SO unexpected.
Well, if anyone truly believes their dog would never hurt their bird, please learn from this.
Has anyone hed experience with medication side-effects like this?

I just wanted to add - the play-biting thing is new. We've never encouraged that type of behaviour with ANY of our 6 dogs or our 6 cats. DD was running with Althea yesterday afternoon and Althea started nipping at her leg. It's kind of a border collie thing, but Althea used to only nip when really excited. Now, it seems, she doesn't control herself like she used to

. What's really sad is that it's like DD lost 2 friends last night. She can hardly even look at Althea now.

 

[SillyChicken]

Sorry about the loss of Kermit...

What meds is the dog on for seizures? Mine was on Phenobarbital and valium, but we switched her to sodium bromide.. she did better on this medication than the Pheno.

My dog also has suffered brain damage from the seizures she had. There was quite a personality shift, luckily with her shes a terminal puppy and playfull. Ask you vet about other medication options and whether potassium or sodium bromide may help your dog. (the bromides also do not cause liver damage like the Pheno does, why vets want to use it is beyond me)

I would also be very careful with the dog. If it's having personality shifts, she could become aggressive.

Good luck!

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

I am so very sorry for this, it is doubly traumatic when a beloved pet kills another beloved pet.

Yes, to answer your question. The medication could have a lot to do with the behavior. You described some behaviors that have changed. However if the medication hasn't changed recently and the behavior is new then I might look at other stressors in the dogs life. I would say take the dog to the vet and have the vet evaluate the dosages and check the meds for bad drug interactions.

 

[thebritt]

Althea's on KBr as well as pheno. I'm sure she's suffered brain damage from the siezures - she had 4 grand mal siezures in one 3 hour period before we started the KBr (back in Feb.)

 

[thebritt]

Quote:
Will do. Luckily DD works at a vet's office. She couldn't go in today - too broken up. Thanks for responding Jamie.

 

[Redyre Rotties]

I am terribly sorry about the loss of Kermit. My deepest sympathy to you all.

Re: Althea, seizures, medication, or not, IMO Althea was just being a dog. IMO it is unrealistic to ever leave a dog unattended with small feathered or furry creatures. A sudden movement, prey drive kicks in, and boom, something is crushed. I hope your DD can get beyond her loss and enjoy Althea again.

(((hugs))) to everyone.

 

[thebritt]

Quote:
Of course, you're right. Predator-prey relationships and all. That being said, as you know, many people here post photos of birds and dogs in very close proximity, hence my warning to all these trusting people. One day last month, My DD left Kermit and Althea alone in her room. When she got back, Kermit was sitting on Althea's head! That wasn't the first time the bird sat on Althea. Never a problem. I truly believe Althea's meds are having an affect on her behaviour - she goes for bloodwork on Fri. DD was saying that, as of late, Althea's impulse control has significantly changed. It's just too bad we couldn't anticipate such a disaster.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

I find it odd that the dog is six years or older and has had such a sudden change in impulse control. There is probably something going on. It could be a change in the dogs routine, someone moving in or out of the house or family....something like that. Is your daughters boyfriend new? Maybe your daughter needs to work on some leadership with her to get her back into normal behavior? idk I do find it odd though since they were always ok together and I do believe you have enough dog knowledge to know if the dog was really relaxed before with the bird.

I could be completely off base though...

 

[Shared Acres]

I'm sorry to hear that.

 

[thebritt]

Quote:
Althea just turned 9. She had always been very even-tempered with all our pets. DD has been going out with her BF for almost a year, and the three of them spend lots of time together - going to the beach, river, park, etc. No changes in the household (except for Buddy joining us in Oct.). I think I've convinced myself it's partly due to meds and part brain damage from all the grand mal siezures she had before the meds.