Help I need advice - I have two dogs, both are a rare breed of Mastiff and I have had my male one for 7 years and the female for 2.5 years - both from puppies. My male is very laid back and only gets stroppy when he is threatened which is rare. My female has always been more lively, but is very loving and normally no problem. However, she has had punch ups a few times with my male dog and last night went for him (partly my fault as I gave him the chew bone she had left in the middle of the floor) - she would not let go of him and had to be hauled of my male by my husband and I and she had bitten his ear which was bleeding. Now tonight she went for him again, this time I saw a look on her face and managed to pull her off quickly.

I don't know why she is doing this and I am worried sick that she will get worse and don't know what to do.

Will having her spayed help? Would dog training be the answer?

She is on medication (Meloxidyl) for a joint problem - could it be that she is in pain or could this be a side effect of the medication?

As I said she is normally the most loving and affectionate dog and is usually fine with my male and will play quite happily together, but this has really shaken me and am scared that I won't be able to sort it out.

If anyone out there has some advice or experience of their dogs doing the same, I would really appreciate your input.

firstly dont panic when is she due in season?? she could be maturing to choose a mate I had a staff that mated for life would only stand for one stud

She is not due in season until February (comes in season every 6 months dead on the dot). My male is castrated and although I was planning to breed my female, because of the limp caused by athritis (vets say it is mild, but she is lame all the time now so I think it may be something else and she is seeing the vet next week).

I try not to panic, but love her dearly and cannot go to the breeder for help, it has really shaken me up though.

I should have mentioned that my Male is under the weather and very wary of her as well. I am scared to fuss him and know that she is watching my every move.

I wouldnt breed from her with her history you could produce vetrinary dependant off spring

it could be pain related when was she last assessed?? I will look up the active ingrediants in her meds and write up side effects for you

hmmm could be jelousy then give themboth something nice in seperate rooms and fuss them individually for a few hours

however

Meloxidyl® is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for use in the alleviation of inflammation and pain in acute and chronic musculo-skeletal disorders in dogs. To be administered orally via mixing with food. Shake well before use. Initial treatment is a single dose of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight on the first day. Treatment is to be continued once daily by oral administration (at 24-hour intervals) at a maintenance dose of 0.1 mg meloxicam/kg body weight. Particular care should be taken with regard to the accuracy of dosing. The suspension can be given using the measuring syringes provided in the package. The syringe fits onto the bottle and has a kg-body weight scale, which corresponds to the maintenance dose (i.e. 0.1 mg meloxicam/kg body weight). Thus, for the first day, twice the maintenance volume will be required. The suspension could be administered using the smallest syringe for dogs less than 7 kg body weight (one graduation corresponding to 0.5 kg of body weight) or the largest syringe for dogs over than 7 kg body weight (one graduation corresponding to 2.5 kg of body weight). A clinical response is normally seen within 3 – 4 days. Treatment should be discontinued after 10 days if no clinical improvement is apparent. Avoid the introduction of contaminants during use

how long has she been on this medication??
has it been assessed to any weight gain/loss??

MELOXIDYL contains meloxicam, which belongs to a class of medicines called nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Meloxicam acts by inhibition of prostaglandin
synthesis. As the prostaglandins are substances that trigger inflammation, pain, exudation and
fever, meloxicam reduces those responses.

she could be struggling to express herself or could have what your boy has but cant raise her body temperature to fight it what are your boys symptoms

She is only on it when she needs it, so not on it all the time. He has allergy's or at least that is what we think,not an illness, the vet has sent bloods off for allergy testing on just about everything and are waiting on the results.

Both are asleep at the moment and fine and I expect that they will be fine now for the evening, but it is just the calculating look on her face tonight and the agression from her yesterday - when she goes like that it is as if she goes into a different world where she can't hear or does not want to hear us shouting at her. She is feisty and has loads of confidence, trouble is my male has had enough of her and you can see he is fed up.

By the way thanks for looking up Meloxidyl for me.

That could be your problem hes struggling to maintain superiority and top spot shes sensing it you need to take that position when she does it again lay on her or put her in a room by herself