Boxer with Fly Snapping Syndrome - Chancy

Shortly after rescuing our boxer, Chancy, we noticed that he would snap at bugs that weren't there. We did some research and learned that he had "Fly Snapping Syndrome". His fits would last for several minutes up to a half an hour. His ears would go back and it would be very difficult to distract him. Even though they seem to have decreased in frequency since switching him to a natural dog food, certain sounds still seem to trigger the episodes. We took this video to show his vet when there were no trigger sounds at all. The snapping starts about 45 seconds into the video.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• boxer
• fly snapping syndrome
• dog
• bugs
• syndrome
• bug catching
• Chancy

[granddilulsion]

Chancy is doing well, thanks. Best dog ever and spoiled rotten! I appreciate you letting me know that his video is being used in classrooms. It's nice to know there's discussion happening regarding what's actually going on during these episodes. He still has them, but probably 80 percent of the time it's when we're watching tv in the evening or listening to the iPod. It really seems to be sound related.

[granddilulsion]

I do hear the noise, now. Not sure what it is. If it's the cam making the sound, then it's not that causing the behavior as I didn't record until I saw him doing it. Maybe something else in the house... but no tea kettles :-) and it wouldn't explain why he does it away from home unless it's a frequency we can't hear. It happens more when we watch tv, but it does happen when the room is silent to us as well. I've never seen it happen outside, but then he's always playing. We may never know!

[kimmireiner]

Your dog has what is called a complex partial seizure...My dog is a fly bitter too...

[BasariosRock]

not entirely sure though thats my best guess. if it isnt the syndrome

[BasariosRock]

i think its actually this noise that people over a certain age cant hear well or at all. when i was 18 that noise gave me a headache but it can make dogs annoyed sometimes too. i can still hear it but not as promanently i cant say thats the true cause but it could be a # of electronics making the noise witch would explain why you couldnt hear it when u recorded but the mic amplifys electronic feedback so we sometime hear what they do, cause when i hear the sound peak he started snapping. im ,

[danholz]

I thought there was a tea-kettle in the background as well, strange! :o We actually watched this video in class when talking about seizure-like disorders in small animals. Hope your dog is doing well :)

[mom0g1]

lol

[mccaberm]

Our dog is doing a similar thing but it just started as it started warming up & the bugs came outside and were bothering him. We thought it was just a tickle the same way I often think a mosquito is on me even after I come inside for an hour or two.

You mentioned sounds seem to trigger other episodes and that this one was trigger free. Do you not hear that high pitched tea-kettle like sound in the beginning of your video? Very faint, but I heard it clearly first time and verified on repeat.

[granddilulsion]

Our vet checked for eye floaters, but didn't find any. They seem to think it's like a mild seizure. We notice it more often when he's around loud noises... (tv or ipod). We wonder if there's a tone that sounds like a bug to him. He also went through a few weeks where he'd lick the air, which is another manifestation of the syndrome. The vet said we could try anti seizure meds, but they have side affects. Unless they get worse or more frequent, she suggested it best to just let it be.