Aggressive Yorkie

[Guest guest]

I've been working with a young Yorkie for post-op MPL that is still

skipping after surgery. Radiographically the patella is normally

positioned and cannot be luxated on exam. ROM is normal and he does

not seem painful.

However, he is becoming more and more difficult to work with. It is

somewhat difficult to determine how painful he is because you cannot

examine him without a muzzle and he becomes very stoic with it on. He

also has a collapsing trachea, so I am somewhat nervous about

scruffing restraining him.

He is totally Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He loves the UWTM and the pool

and will let me place a lifevest. Somedays he is fine for physiroll

work and just today he flipped out at being picked up to be put on the

roll.

He is somewhat unusual in that his aggression and biting does not stop

when pressure is released. For example, I was placing him on the

physioroll and once I let go and was sitting calmly (not trying to

grab or touch him), he continued to lunge and try and attack my hands.

He is going to a veterinary behaviorist on Monday and has had a

current medical workup prior to surgery. I started him on Gabapentin

as the owner thought he has been abit ouchy this week. Also, he did

exhibit this behavior with her prior to surgery when moved from a

resting position, but has not shown any aggression at home, in public

or with the regular vet.

My next thought is to get some cat gloves or raptor gloves and

desensitize him to being picked up. I really don't mind little guys

like this and somewhat like the challenge, but he is a little unusual

in that he really comes after you even when yielding/ignoring behavior.