u/Alive-Stuff3120

Has anyone experienced severe episodic anxiety/panic like this in their bully breed?

I have a 6/7-year-old neutered pit mix (~100 lbs) that I’ve had for 5 years. He was stable and happy for years after some mild rescue anxiety, but in Dec 2024 he had an abrupt behavioral shift.

Now he has episodes (see here) lasting days to months where he paces, pants, trembles, fixates on the ground, compulsively goes in/out, paws/slams doors, tries escaping to the point of self-injury, won’t eat, and cannot settle. Between episodes, he returns completely to baseline and acts like a normal, affectionate dog again.

Bloodwork/x-rays normal. History of mast cell tumors but all removed with no spread. Currently working with vets and pursuing a veterinary behaviorist consult.

Not asking for veterinary advice or medication recommendations, just wondering if anyone has experienced something similar with their dog emotionally/behaviorally. I feel very alone in this.

Hi vets, I’m hoping to get input on a complex case.
 
Signalment:
6/7-year-old neutered male pit bull mix (~100 lbs), rescue, I've had him for 5 years

History
•Mild separation anxiety early on → resolved within ~1 month post-adoption
•Stable, well-adjusted for several years
December 2024: abrupt behavioral shift → onset of severe, episodic panic
•First episode lasted ~3 months
•We temporarily moved environments to help him decompress + started meds
•By March 2025, he returned to baseline (completely normal)

Current Pattern
•Episodes last days to months 
•Between episodes: completely normal dog (calm, social, playful, responsive)
•During episodes: appears in constant fight-or-flight state, almost dissociative

Signs During Episodes
•Persistent pacing, panting, trembling
•Environmental fixation (staring at ground/surfaces), reduced responsiveness
•Compulsive in/out behavior (asks to go outside → immediately distressed → wants back in)
•Repetitive door pawing, escape attempts has caused self-injury and damage to fencing/doors
•Undereating and refusal to eat (will not eat up to ~48 hours without heavy prompting)
•Unable to rest or settle
•Follows owner closely but appears mentally disengaged

Attaching videos here of some of his behavior

Medical History
•History of 4 mast cell tumors (all removed, no metastasis)
•Bloodwork: normal
•X-rays: normal
•No neurologist workup yet (might be the next step but the closest one is 3 hours away and my dog is terrified of cars. We have to nearly sedate him to go to a vet. However, sedating him is incredibly difficult as well since his anxiety is so severe and he's such a big guy)

Medications / Response
•Fluoxetine (trialed previously, now recently restarted)
•Gabapentin + Trazodone on this combo ~1 year gabapentin seems helpful
◦trazodone now appears to worsen agitation (as of May 2026)
•Alprazolam (Xanax): only medication that reliably helps
during episodes, it allows him to eat, settle, chew, cuddle, and engage again. Current vet has concerns about regular use due to dependence

Behavioral interventions (training, enrichment, calming aids) have no effect once an episode begins.
 
TLDR
•Episodic (on/off) pattern with full return to baseline
•Severe intensity (self-injury, inability to eat/sleep)
•Altered mentation during episodes
•Strong response to benzodiazepine

Next Steps (already in motion)
 
I’m currently pursuing a vet-to-vet consult with a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, who would work directly with my primary vet on a medication plan. So I am actively taking that route, but would really value additional clinical perspectives in the meantime.
 
Any thoughts? Am I on the right track? Missing something? Do these med combos sound concerning? Neurological? Am I insane? I truly love my dog and feel guilty for my frustration but I am feeling so clueless in this process. Anything helps.