Fly Biting

[Gibson988]

My 23 month old male cocker has started to what I would call fly snapping. No flys, its just like hes hallucinating.  He snaps in the air and wizzies round frightened.  These episodes last about 45 seconds and we get about 2 episodes early evening for the past 4 days.  Wether this has relevance  he will not go out for a walk at night in the dark.  Gibson is a fit, healthy, happy boy so this is concerning me.  Any ideas?  ps I have made an appointment to visit the vet to get him checked but any thoughts would be appreciated.

[bizzylizzy]

Hi and welcome,
I remember reading that fly biting can  be a sign of an oncoming seizure but to be honest only a vet will be able to tell you if anything is amiss or if its just one of the many unexplainable habits that cockers adopt   so you‘ve made the best decision to get it looked at.
Best of luck and keep us posted!
Jayne

[Gibson988]

Thanks Jayne,  vet says it may be related to digestion problem so Gibs is having poo samples & blood tests done on Tues.  Apparently its like trying to find a needle in a haystack so first thing first and getting the basics done. xx

[ejp]

Glad you are getting it checked out, I think there are a few things it can be related to. interested to hear how you get on.

[sophie.ivy]

Good that you and the vet are on the case as I believe it can be a displacement action when pup is in pain/discomfort. A cocker I look after used to do it when he had tooth pain, and has picked it back up now he has COPD. I don't believe fly snapping is related to either condition, just a way to deal with the discomfort. 

Hopefully you get to the bottom of it.