Dogs out of control: experts search for causes of "werewolf syndrome"
30.12.2024
Translation: machine translated
The "werewolf syndrome" is keeping dog owners on tenterhooks: cases of four-legged friends with neurological seizures are increasing in several European countries. Experts are searching for the cause.
One day the dog was just as normal, but suddenly it panics, becomes aggressive, howls, screams or even suffers an epileptic fit. Since December, dog owners in German veterinary clinics have increasingly been reporting such abrupt changes in behaviour. This is also happening to animals that had previously been completely unremarkable.
Possible link with bovine hide bones
Experts are puzzling over the cause. Vaccinations and tick remedies have been ruled out. However, one possibility has come into focus. In some affected dogs, there was a temporal connection between the consumption of bovine hide bones and the symptoms.
Experts suspect that these could have been contaminated with toxins such as cleaning agents or fungal toxins during the production process. Products from different manufacturers, especially from China, are being tested. It is noticeable that it is mainly medium-sized to large dogs and younger dogs that are affected and that they receive chew bones more frequently than small and older dogs. Several dogs from the same household are often affected.
Cases in Switzerland and further investigations
Francs Steffen, Head of the Department of Neurology, says: "We have seen a total of six cases ourselves or learnt about them from consulting vets. In four animals, the connection with the chewing bones seems to be quite certain, and in two others at least very obvious." The investigations are still in full swing. Investigations are being carried out in various directions and various feedstuffs are being analysed.
What you should look out for
Dog owners are urged to visit a veterinary clinic specialising in neurology immediately at the first sign of a seizure. These can be, for example:
- Extreme restlessness
- panic attacks
- Uncoordinated, disoriented or hallucination-like behaviour
- strongly increased activity in phases
- Howling, screaming
- Aggressiveness
- Convulsions, epileptic seizures
Until the definitive cause has been clarified, it is recommended that bovine hide bones are avoided and alternative Kauartikel auszuweichen.
You can find healthy snacks here:
Header image: Shutterstock/Przemek Iciak
Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI love anything with four legs or roots - especially my shelter cats Jasper and Joy and my collection of succulents. My favourite things to do are stalking around with police dogs and cat coiffeurs on reportages or letting sensitive stories flourish in garden brockis and Japanese gardens.
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