Odd Changes in personality

Please help I have a 3 year old pitty mix who about 2 months ago starting acting differently. He has always been a very happy playful dog who loved going on walks. We slowly started noticing his personality changing. Plus he has forgotten how to go potty outside. Our vet has recommended seeing a neurologist and we will do that but we were wondering if anyone has seen changes like this. He is just not the same dog. Sometimes he’s a little wobbly. He sleeps a lot. Hated going outside almost like he’s afraid and the most recent change is when you go to pet him he acts like he is afraid he is going to get hit Thank you for any advice or if anyone has seen anything like this. I almost think it’s a brain tumor and I hope I’m wrong Ed

Hello! - and I'm sorry that you and your dog are going through a tough time.  So the symptoms are, wobbliness, increased fear responses and sleeping a lot.   This sort of thing can happen in painful conditions, in some metabolic conditions and certainly in neurological conditions.  Your vet has suggested that you see a neurologist, so I wonder whether they also saw reactions suggestive of the latter on a neurological exam (a series of small tests designed to check out neurological responses, usually carried out in the consultation room) or have some reason to be suspicious.  When we think of neurological problems, our minds immediately go to brain tumours.  (I know that mine did when I developed unexpected neurological signs myself a few years ago).  However, brains can also suffer infections, injuries, other causes of increased pressure, metabolic changes (eg exposure to Oxygen / low blood sugar), cysts, epilepsy, infections and indeed as many different sorts of changes as any other body part can.  I can't tell you that this is not a brain tumour, but you haven't said anything that makes it more likely than some of the other possibilities.  However, your vet has the edge on me because they will probably have done some more neurological tests on the patient and therefore will have more information. I am pleased that your dog is going to see a neurologist (has your vet given an indication of how quickly / urgently they want this to happen, or recommended any treatment is necessary in the meantime?) and would be interested to hear how you get on if you feel like coming back to tell us.  Best of luck.  

Hello! - and I'm sorry that you and your dog are going through a tough time.  So the symptoms are, wobbliness, increased fear responses and sleeping a lot.   This sort of thing can happen in painful conditions, in some metabolic conditions and certainly in neurological conditions.  Your vet has suggested that you see a neurologist, so I wonder whether they also saw reactions suggestive of the latter on a neurological exam (a series of small tests designed to check out neurological responses, usually carried out in the consultation room) or have some reason to be suspicious.  When we think of neurological problems, our minds immediately go to brain tumours.  (I know that mine did when I developed unexpected neurological signs myself a few years ago).  However, brains can also suffer infections, injuries, other causes of increased pressure, metabolic changes (eg exposure to Oxygen / low blood sugar), cysts, epilepsy, infections and indeed as many different sorts of changes as any other body part can.  I can't tell you that this is not a brain tumour, but you haven't said anything that makes it more likely than some of the other possibilities.  However, your vet has the edge on me because they will probably have done some more neurological tests on the patient and therefore will have more information. I am pleased that your dog is going to see a neurologist (has your vet given an indication of how quickly / urgently they want this to happen, or recommended any treatment is necessary in the meantime?) and would be interested to hear how you get on if you feel like coming back to tell us.  Best of luck.