Why is my older dog suddenly destructive with separation anxiety?

Question

My labradoodle is 9 yrs old and she just developed separation anxiety. Never had problems before. She is destoying our doors and screen doors to get outside. The was never a problem before. Why

Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS · Accepted Answer

If separation anxiety is suspected, the first step is to discuss the situation with a veterinarian and have the dog undergo a complete physical examination. It is important to make sure that a dog's behavior is truly due to separation anxiety and not from something else. For instance,a dog may bark when alone because he feels he is protecting his property or because he can hear another dog. A veterinarian may recommend some testing to determine if a dog has an underlying medical problem, which could contribute to behavior problems or make them worse. This is important considering he is suspected to have developed anxiety recently and quite suddenly. Tests may include a complete blood count (CBC), a chemistry panel, urinalysis, thyroid testing, a blood pressure check, and an electrocardiogram (ECG). These tests will also be important to evaluate the health status of a dog prior to being placed on any medication.

Why is my older dog suddenly destructive with separation anxiety?

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