Molly has been wimpering all night.

[TrogL]

We're a dachshund household, one purepred black-and-tan, one foxy-doxy (fox terrier cross) and Molly who we rescued right out of a puppy mill so we're not 100% sure what she is, possibly doxy-Scotch/Yorkshire terrier. She was a breeder, had had a number of litters and the mill operator said take her or or she's toast tomorrow. She was one of four or five dogs we got out on that occasion and more earlier. We're trying to get the place shut down. The dogs are outdoors all the time, and stored in pens most of the time.

I was actually surprised when we got her home to introduce her to the pack that she fit right in. First thing she did was run into the kitchen and squat on a pee pad so she knew her house training. Pretty soon she was romping with the foxy-doxy (the other is too old and fragile). We did notice, however, that she does a lot of crying to the point where the hair around her eyes is constantly matted with crud. We had her checked and there's no infections.

She hates the night and cuddles up on the bed, but always at our feet. She lays there and occasionally shivers and barks at the slightest noise.

On Saturday, we took her for a grooming because it had reached the point she couldn't see. The other two had their nails clipped but she stayed on for the full treatment and we were told to come back at four. When I got there, she was just finishing up and seemed to be fine. She could see me through the window and just watched me quietly. The groomer said she was one of his better dogs for grooming, with no problems. That night, however, she started whimpering to the point where neither of us got any sleep. I noticed that she was shivering, so I took her with me and we camped out on the couch, with her under the blanket to keep her warm, even though she wasn't hot to the touch. She eventually settled down. Last night was even worse and even I couldn't calm her down although she eventually did by sleeping at my feet snuggled up next to the black-and-tan.

The vet recommended giving her children's Gravol hidden in a pill pocket and that seemed to help a bit on other occasions when we've had problems with her.

I'm wondering if she triggered on being in the crate at the dog groomers, which is strange because she likes being in the crate at home. She goes in there to get away from the other dogs if she wants some quiet time.

Any ideas?

[Voice for Peace]

1. it does sound like a little post traumatic response

best treated with lots and lots of physical love,
touching, holding. hope she feels safe again soon.

[No Vested Interest]

2. Thanks for your concern for Molly.

We love Doxies, too.
Last one was named Polly.
Polly= Molly?

[TrogL]

3. Molly was named for the EDM tune "Molly" by David Gervais

This was before the Deadmau5 controversy. I was unaware of the other use of the moniker.

They don't allow Youtube at work. I think this is the right link.

[hamsterjill]

4. Thundershirt

Have you considered a thundershirt? I have two dogs, both from traumatic backgrounds. One dog has not been affected by the thundershirt. The other seems to get relief from it.

Best of luck to you and Molly, and thank you for your (obvious) love and patience with her.

[TrogL]

5. I got a Thundershirt for one of the other dogs

Haven't been able to find it. I may pick another one up.

[Curmudgeoness]

6. Such a sad story of her former life

and a happy story of her life with you. You are already aware of her past, and it would be no surprise that she has a lot of issues. You may never know the cause of these outbursts, but you have already ruled out a physical problem, so these issues will probably continue for a long time....hopefully getting rarer as time goes on.

Love and comforting when she is crying is important. And you are doing that. The suggestion of a thundershirt would be something to try too, since I have heard that they really do work for some dogs. There is also a product called Comfort Zone with D.A.P., which is a pheromone spray that is supposed to help with stress and anxiety in dogs.

I hope you find a solution. I am confident that you will.

[tblue37]

7. Is it possible that the groomer accidentally cut her toenails too short and hurt her, or otherwise

cut her during grooming? A dog already abused or maltreated, as a breeder would have been, might respond like that to any injury at the hand of a stranger. She felt safe with you, then went to the groomer, and if she got hurt there at all--and I find cutting the nails beyond the quick is surprisingly common at dog groomers--then she could be traumatized.

Check her nails for signs of injury, and if you find them use Neosoporin with the anaesthetic (with a wrap until it soaks in, so she can't lick it). It will speed healing and help the pain, if in fact she has a boo-boo.

[CraftyGal]

8. I have checked her claws.

They look okay. We did try the thunderstorms and a special collar that had a calming pharanome...also didn't work.

[tblue37]

11. Poor baby. Maybe it's a delayed stress reaction from

being away from you in a strange place and in the hands of strangers. The groomer's comment about her being so good--maybe it was that she went into "freeze and pretend you are not here" self-protection mode--and then, when back with you, where she felt safe again, she was able to express her feelings.

I had a cat some years ago who would be a total dishrag at the vet's because he hated it so, but would then freak out about the trip to the vet only after we got back home.

I hope the poor sweetie is doing better now!

[KC]

9. I would

definitely try the Thunder shirt. and make sure it fits good and snug. Also you might
order some Rescue Remedy for Pets
It helps calm them. It seems to help mine.

[TrogL]

10. Molly had a good night last night

She decided she wanted to be a doggy pillow and kept my head warm. She roused once to bark at a cat.

Children's Gravol in a pill pocket and a warm blanket seemed to help.

[tblue37]

12. I'm glad she is doing better. nt

[Phentex]

13. Glad to hear it...

There was a storm last night so I slept on the couch...again.

[TrogL]

14. OK, there's something else going on - she just threw up all over the bed

Vet appointment tomorrow.

[Phentex]

15. If only they could talk to us!

Good luck at the appointment!

[TrogL]

17. Last night Molly was fine and Craftygal was throwing up all over the bed

Go figure.

This morning Molly was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, eating fine, wanted her bone and the whole bit. Appointment cancelled.

[X_Digger]

16. Our doxie does that about once a month, maybe twice a month in the summer..

.. she catches and eats those little mediterranean geckos we have on our light-colored brickwork, or the brown beetles that bang on the windows, then hurks them up later, preferably when everyone's sound asleep.

As to the whining, perhaps just cuddle her? One of our doxie mixes hates storms, and he ends up being a vibrating hat, thundershirt or no. We do have a sedative we give him when he gets particularly bad.

I wouldn't necessarily connect the weeping from her eyes as 'crying'. We have another doxie mix who is always getting her face washed because her 'tears' tend to crud up the fur under her eyes. Multiple vets have said it's normal, no infection.