Hi My friend's lurcher (10 years old) has suddenly become very strange...he is eating sleeping walking & all other faculties are ok. But he has since xmas become afraid of everything & everybody. Do you think he could of had a stroke?

Any change in behaviour should be checked out, but at this time of year there is always the possibility that the holiday season itself has upset the dog. There is always more noise, more stress, more everything that is not normal routine. I would have a quiet word with the vet first.

If they haven't done so already get the dog checked out by the vet. A sudden deterioration in sight or hearing can be disorientating and scary for a dog. Any condition that makes the dog feel unwell might also result in increased anxiety.