Please help

[Stamford]

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Sorry I’m back again. I’m REALLY worried about my 12 yr old cocker. She’s displaying some odd behaviour. I’ve been awake five times in the night with her again. She keeps waking me up by literally clawing my carpet. It’s not just once. She does it, then lies down and snores for about ten mins, then she’s back at it again. I honestly feel like I have a newborn baby again. I’m like a zombie this morning. Is she ill? She’s done this for about a year now. But this past week it’s been way worse. I’m struggling in the day as I’m so tired and I’m worried what’s going on with her. Any new suggestions please ? The vet doesn’t have a clue and has given me a mild sedative until I can get to the surgery with her, as it’s deemed non emergency. But I’m reluctant to give her a sedative because of her age. Other than this and a bit of allergy itchy skin she’s a healthy dog. She eats drinks and poo’s ok. TIA

 

[Flobo]

Hi, was just reading back over your other posts and the answers, it is so tough at the moment when you just can't get up and go to the vets for help, I really feel for you.. you say her odd behaviour has been going on for about a year and getting worse, my old boy had dementia and yes getting up and down in the night was something I did with him so totally understand the feeling like a zombie...
I know you say you don't want to try the sedation(you could also look into more gentle calming options, like herbal remedies,Dorwest do a good range for dogs, or adaptil diffusers?) but it may well be worth trying just to see how she responds to it, it may be just what she needs. Also have you tried leaving a light on, bedroom door open etc so she can see and wander around maybe? I can imagine her being so unsettled and the carpet scratching is quite distressing for you all. My Jake used to get up in the night(several times) and want to go out, then he would just stand in garden for a bit and not do anything, then I'd guide him back in. During the day he also used to wander a lot from room to room, then settle for a while and start over again..We found he was better being left to do this rather than shut a door or try to get him to settle before he was ready. Please read up on dog dementia, I just wanted to say that my old dog behaved in a similar way, he was on pretty strong pain meds for chronic arthritis already so we couldn't have tried night sedation so kinda just got used to his oap ways and was very tired for a pretty long time! It's just so tough at the moment when you can't go and see a vet and eliminate any possible physical reasons that may cause this kind of behaviour, though it may be worth speaking to them again re your concerns.

 

[JudyN]

This article about behaviour problems in older dogs seems quite detailed: Behavior Problems in Older Dogs

I understand your concerns about giving your dog a sedative, but it's important to remember that although side effects and risks listed on medications can sound scary, the vast majority of dogs are absolutely fine on them and benefit from them. You have to weigh up the possible risks against the potential benefits for your dog - and for you as well. It's important you preserve your own physical and mental health, now more than ever.

Also bear in mind that the possible risks and side effects are much more likely of the dog has a long course of the medication - trying it out for a day or two to observe the effects is likely to be far safer. That's not me saying you should necessarily give the sedation - just hoping it will help give you some perspective to make the best decision for you and your dog.

 

[Stamford]

Thank you both for the info. I’m going to walk her later today to tire her out later in the day. Then I’m going to try her on a tablet tonight. She’s sleeping peacefully now in the sofa. But at night she’s all over the place. From room to room and constant clawing of the carpet. I’m so tired. She’s always been such a fit and healthy dog. It’s so tough seeing this now. Our vet will see emergencies only but I don’t think he will see this as an emergency. How did they come to a diagnosis of dementia ?

 

[JudyN]

I hope the tablet gives you both some peace tonight. Do let us know how you get on.

 

[Stamford]

I hope the tablet gives you both some peace tonight. Do let us know how you get on.

Thank you. I probably won’t sleep worry if it’s affecting her !!!

 

[Flobo]

For Jake, the diagnosis was based on his age and observing changes and patterns in his behaviour...like the repetitive night time wanting to go out but seemingly for no reason, wandering from room to room before settling, sleeping a while then starting over again, he was eating well but also forgetting if he had just eaten, if I went back in the kitchen he would get all happy thinking it was tea time...again!! Fingers crossed she has a settled night tonight and tomorrow night you will too with a little less worry hopefully. Please let us know how you get on

 

[JudyN]

he was eating well but also forgetting if he had just eaten, if I went back in the kitchen he would get all happy thinking it was tea time...again!!

My mother in law, in the early stages of memory loss, did that with wine ...

 

[Stamford]

My mother in law, in the early stages of memory loss, did that with wine ...

Hahaha

 

[Stamford]

So she had half a tablet of ACP. We didn’t hear a peep from her all night, except for when she had a drink. She’s still quite dopey now. She has blood shot eyes and got up for a wee and breakfast. Now she’s back upstairs sleeping again !! She’s seems fine apart from being tired still. I woke up at 6 am to check her and didn’t go back to sleep !! But we had a quiet night which was great. I was going to call the vet to ask how often she can have them. I don’t want to give her too much.

 

[JudyN]

I was just wondering how you got on last night, Stamford! I'm glad she slept well, though it's a shame she's still generally zonked out. With some human medications, side effects of tiredness wear off with time, so I'm hoping that's the case with this one too.

 

[Flobo]

Glad you all had a quiet night, I've never used ACP but you could always ask the vet about altering the dose to a bit lower maybe, as in try her on say a third or quarter of a tablet until you find a dose that may suit her better?

 

[Stamford]

Glad you all had a quiet night, I've never used ACP but you could always ask the vet about altering the dose to a bit lower maybe, as in try her on say a third or quarter of a tablet until you find a dose that may suit her better?

I spoke to my vet. He said instead of a half tablet try her on a quarter. So I will tonight.

 

[Stamford]

I was just wondering how you got on last night, Stamford! I'm glad she slept well, though it's a shame she's still generally zonked out. With some human medications, side effects of tiredness wear off with time, so I'm hoping that's the case with this one too.

She was a bit dopey until about 3pm. But she never comes around from sedation well anyway.

 

[Stamford]

Gave my girl a quarter of a tablet last night. She slept beautifully and was way more alert this morning. So I think I will give her that dose for a little while.

 

[Flobo]

That's good news Hopefully you can all catch up on a few Zzzz's now and thankyou for the updates. Have you any pictures of her? Would love to see some..

 

[Stamford]

That's good news Hopefully you can all catch up on a few Zzzz's now and thankyou for the updates. Have you any pictures of her? Would love to see some..

 

[Stamford]

Trying to work how to put a pic up here !

 

[Stamford]

 

[JudyN]

Aw, she doesn't look her age!

We once had a cat who went on tranquillisers - her sister kept duffing her up and she started spraying indoors. Once we found the correct dose she was fine, but at first she would do nothing but sleep and we could have used her as a doorstop!