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Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
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Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Feb 12, 2015 15:26:49 GMT
First let me say that I did call my vet when this started, he is away for two weeks. I have a 25+ year relationship with my vet and I don't want to start with someone new (covering for him).I have the first available appointment to see him which is next Friday.
This started suddenly, not a gradual change, on Friday night January 30th. It was windy, blustery night and the dog was agitated, panting, full of anxiety pacing and would not sleep. I ended up going down to the family room around 3 am and sleeping with the dog on the sofa. *Edited to add, panting has ceased, just that one night.
This has continued to some extent every night since. Mostly now it is restlessness, pacing. My husband and I are exhausted, almost 2 weeks of being sleep deprived.
The dog is almost 12. He hates being crated because I think that was part of his abuse (he is a rescue, long periods in the crate). He has lived with us for five years. Normally, he sleeps in our room, in his own bed but we are not adverse to having him sleep with us but he won't stay on the bed, we tried that.
The dog is on prozac. His dose has been increased once.
I work part-time so he is not alone for long periods and on the days I work, a dogwalker comes in mid-day.
The dog is walked, gets plenty of exercise, rides in the car, lots of stimulation.
He is eating, drinking and doing his business normally. No red flags that he may be sick or in pain.
We are so sleep deprived at this point, we are going to put him in a kennel this weekend so we can get some sleep. Today I am going to buy a crate and try giving him benadryl to knock him out or he will bark all night.
The vet is our best hope for a long-term solution, if one exists. We have discussed if nothing works to either surrender him back to the rescue or put him down. He is not a dog that can live in a home with other pets, or small children. He is fear aggressive (code word for bites), we knew all this when we took him in. He will not be an easy dog to place and he was not happy in that environment. The rescue was up front about this and many a volunteer was bit. My feeling is that it would be better for him to be put down if we can't find a solution.
I really don't know what to do, if you have any advice, words of wisdom.....
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927 
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Post by freebird on Feb 12, 2015 15:30:51 GMT
It sounds like his Prozac isn't working properly. Maybe talk to the dr about giving him something to help him sleep at night. Is he sleeping well during the day?
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Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Feb 12, 2015 15:36:53 GMT
It sounds like his Prozac isn't working properly. Maybe talk to the dr about giving him something to help him sleep at night. Is he sleeping well during the day? He naps during the day but is generally an active dog. Goes in and out a lot, likes to spend time in his fenced in yard on a nice day. Not agitated during the day. He is most calm and restful after dinner when his people are both home from work. Most nights we head up to bed around 10 pm and if we aren't making the move to go up he would jump off the sofa, signal to go out and then stand there looking at me with this what are you waiting for look. Now he will sleep an hour or two and then starts the pacing, wants to go out, stays downstairs, comes back up and wakes us up two, three, four times during the night. |
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Feb 12, 2015 15:44:39 GMT
It still sounds to me like his Prozac isn't working properly or he isn't dosed properly. Can you give it to him at a different time of the day to see if that helps. Maybe it's wearing off? (I don't know much about Prozac honestly). I'm not opposed to him getting some benedryl to knock him out, but I'd make sure it was ok with the vet in case it conflicts with his current medicine.
I'm sure it's REALLLY frustrating and tiring. However, I don't think it's time yet to explore having him put down.
If your dr doesn't give you the answers you want, don't be afraid to ask a different doctor.
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Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Feb 12, 2015 15:48:41 GMT
It still sounds to me like his Prozac isn't working properly or he isn't dosed properly. Can you give it to him at a different time of the day to see if that helps. Maybe it's wearing off? (I don't know much about Prozac honestly). I'm not opposed to him getting some benedryl to knock him out, but I'd make sure it was ok with the vet in case it conflicts with his current medicine. I'm sure it's REALLLY frustrating and tiring. However, I don't think it's time yet to explore having him put down. If your dr doesn't give you the answers you want, don't be afraid to ask a different doctor. I have given him benadryl before under vet's advice for a rash and it will not interact with his current medication. I know it makes him drowsy because we used before, just not for this. I am not adverse to trying other meds. I think this is the onset of senior cognitive issues. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:59:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2015 15:48:47 GMT
panting and restlessness is a dog ARE red flags they are experiencing discomfort/pain. Take him to the vet to see what is going on.
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Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Feb 12, 2015 15:51:17 GMT
panting and restlessness is a dog ARE red flags they are experiencing discomfort/pain. Take him to the vet to see what is going on. Maybe I wasn't clear in the long, rambling post, it was just that one night. It has not been ongoing. He is not in pain or discomfort. Eats normally, drinks, long walks - everything else is normal. |
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Feb 12, 2015 15:53:09 GMT
It still sounds to me like his Prozac isn't working properly or he isn't dosed properly. Can you give it to him at a different time of the day to see if that helps. Maybe it's wearing off? (I don't know much about Prozac honestly). I'm not opposed to him getting some benedryl to knock him out, but I'd make sure it was ok with the vet in case it conflicts with his current medicine. I'm sure it's REALLLY frustrating and tiring. However, I don't think it's time yet to explore having him put down. If your dr doesn't give you the answers you want, don't be afraid to ask a different doctor. I have given him benadryl before under vet's advice for a rash and it will not interact with his current medication. I know it makes him drowsy because we used before, just not for this. I am not adverse to trying other meds. I think this is the onset of senior cognitive issues. I'd dope him until his appointment then (seems weird it takes so long to get him in!). Please keep us updated. I'll say a prayer for you guys. He sounds lucky to have found you guys. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:59:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2015 15:55:09 GMT
panting and restlessness is a dog ARE red flags they are experiencing discomfort/pain. Take him to the vet to see what is going on. Maybe I wasn't clear in the long, rambling post, it was just that one night. It has not been ongoing. He is not in pain or discomfort. Eats normally, drinks, long walks - everything else is normal. You said this: This has continued to some extent every night since. Mostly now it is restlessness, pacing. My husband and I are exhausted, almost 2 weeks of being sleep deprived.
Restless pacing IS a red flag your dog is experiencing discomfort at a minimum if not some downright pain. Not all kinds of pain is going to keep a dog from eating to taking walks. It has gone on enough for two weeks that two adults are exhausted. Your dog is too. Time to see a vet.
Seeing a temp vet for an abrupt onset of an issue does not mean you have to keep seeing the vet. But your dog is needing help sooner rather than later.
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Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Feb 12, 2015 15:55:07 GMT
Thanks freebird he is away at a conference. As I said, he has a vet covering but I don't know this person and he has been the dogs vet for five years. If there was an injury or other problem then I would take him to someone else. |
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Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Feb 12, 2015 15:59:58 GMT
Maybe I wasn't clear in the long, rambling post, it was just that one night. It has not been ongoing. He is not in pain or discomfort. Eats normally, drinks, long walks - everything else is normal. You said this: This has continued to some extent every night since. Mostly now it is restlessness, pacing. My husband and I are exhausted, almost 2 weeks of being sleep deprived.
Restless pacing IS a red flag your dog is experiencing discomfort at a minimum if not some downright pain. Not all kinds of pain is going to keep a dog from eating to taking walks. It has gone on enough for two weeks that two adults are exhausted. Your dog is too. Time to see a vet.
Please let me assure you, the dog is not in discomfort or pain. I have had this dog for five years, he is high anxiety. He runs around the yard, enjoys his walks, eats and is normal all day long. I have talked to the vet tech and she said that this happens with seniors. |
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Post by gryroagain on Feb 12, 2015 16:00:42 GMT
Our lab was about 12 when she started behaving oddly, not all the time but evening generally was when she did it. Pacing, whining, panting, wandering, seeming "lost", peeing in the house right next to us,. I took her to our vet 3 times, convinced she was in terrible pain from...something...somewhere. Nothing. At the third visit the vet did a dementia checklist and she hit every one. She is on anapryl ?spelling probably wrong) and while it hasn't made an improvement she is almost 14 and not worse, so that is positive. We seriously considered putting her down because even though she isn't in physical pain, the mental anguish of her "episodes" is really hard to watch. But for now, it seems the quality of life scales are still tipped in keeping her going.
It's another thing you might ask the vet about.
Our vet has not seen much success with anapryl in dogs, Cleo is the best responder to treatment she has seen, so it's not a very hopeful diagnosis, unfortunately. But it helps to at least know your dog is t in pain from some awful, unseen tumor or something- that's what I really thought.)
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Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Feb 12, 2015 16:05:55 GMT
gryroagain thanks for the input. My vet tech sent me the dementia checklist, I think that is probably where we are but I expect the vet will do an exam and bloodwork. We were there just a few months ago for annual check and booster shots and my vet thought the dog was in great shape for his age. I will ask about anapryl.
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conchita
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,141
Jul 1, 2014 11:25:58 GMT
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Post by conchita on Feb 12, 2015 16:21:13 GMT
How's the pup's eyesight? Just an off the wall thought that perhaps his eyesight is going? Cataracts? There's enough light during the day but at night, no light could cause him to feel anxiety? Just thought I'd throw that idea in the mix. I hope you can get it figured out and enjoy your desperately needed weekend of sleep!
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,524
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Feb 12, 2015 16:23:00 GMT
I was having a similar issue with my dog. It didn't come on suddenly, but gradually. Started with her waking me once a night and progressed to all night long. After about a week of all night long I was ready to drop her off at the pound. The vet gave me some tranqulizer that worked for a few hours, but she was still waking me. I think it was Volt who said to crate her in my room next to my bed. I attempted crating her before but she just barked non-stop. Well, I had two sleepless nights with her in the crate. Whenever she'd make a noise (whine/bark) I'd yell (and I mean yell) QUIET!!!! I also gave her a treat every time she got into the crate. That issue was two years ago. She now sleeps locked in her crate every night. I still give her a treat when she goes in. If she's not in her crate by 9 pm she will sit by her crate patiently waiting for me to open it so she can go to bed. Give the crate a try before you give up on the dog. I think my dog's issue was anxiety, and I have no idea what brought it on.
Oh, and the only time my dog goes in her crate is to go to bed. I don't crate her any other time. Your dog may have been abused with a crate, but he will eventually come to see it as a safe place...that is, if there's not a medical condition causing his behavior.
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Post by scrapcat on Feb 12, 2015 16:26:18 GMT
I've had a couple senior dogs go senile on me. It is hard. Heartbreaking and hard to deal with cleaning up messes, etc. Can the dog hear? That is one thing I noticed with one lab. It took a while to realize she could not hear (almost seemed like selective hearing?!) and she def did more pacing and panting then...I'm thinking bcz she didn't hear herself so didn't even realize it?!
I don't have experience with medication, never went that route. I will say it does seem like one day they are fine and the next they are struggling. You just can never tell. I thought my other lab wasn't going to make it through her 12th year, but she made it to 15 and had spouts where she would bounce back to normal. It's hard bcz they can't tell you anything!
Our vet advised that dogs these days generally don't die on their own from natural causes. And she was right on both accounts, had to have both put down when the time came. It's tough, but I have to admit, then you kind of look back and go was I holding onto them too long? should I have let them go sooner? Tough stuff.
Hope you find some relief!
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Post by Basket1lady on Feb 12, 2015 16:30:38 GMT
Like others, my two thoughts are pain or dementia. Epinephrine levels drop at night, which can mean that your dog is feeling more pain. (That's why we seem to get sicker at night, too.) A dog wants to please his people and some dogs will literally push themselves until they drop. We had a lab/chow mix that was out racing around on Sunday, Monday was throwing up dried blood, and by Wednesday was dead. She had a massive tumor on her mesenteric artery. Dogs will just keep going until they can't.
Dementia usually doesn't come on instantly. It could be that he was quieter at night and wasn't waking you and now he's more agitated and waking you. It's really hard to say.
Honestly, I think it's time for you to see the temporary vet. He can do the physical exam and order some lab work and consult with your regular vet. Then you can see your regular vet next Friday. Whatever is going on, it doesn't sound like a quick fix.
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Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
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Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Feb 12, 2015 16:33:17 GMT
As far as I can tell, the dog has great hearing. The vet noted cataracts were just starting last time we were there, he still see's pretty good, but at night going outside I can see the hesitation as he takes the steps.
He was outside for about 15 minutes and I just gave him his treat ball. Pushing it around to make the treats fall out. Cleaning today and he's supervising the job. Normal days, hellish nights.
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conchita
Pearl Clutcher
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Jul 1, 2014 11:25:58 GMT
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Post by conchita on Feb 12, 2015 16:39:13 GMT
As far as I can tell, the dog has great hearing. The vet noted cataracts were just starting last time we were there, he still see's pretty good, but at night going outside I can see the hesitation as he takes the steps. He was outside for about 15 minutes and I just gave him his treat ball. Pushing it around to make the treats fall out. Cleaning today and he's supervising the job. Normal days, hellish nights. Well, maybe try leaving the lights on for him in the living room? Couldn't hurt to try. |
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lovelabs
Junior Member
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Jul 2, 2014 0:38:54 GMT
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Post by lovelabs on Feb 12, 2015 16:44:21 GMT
If you can rule out a medical issue, I'd try a Thunder Shirt and see if it helps
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Post by KikiPea on Feb 12, 2015 16:50:59 GMT
Maybe I wasn't clear in the long, rambling post, it was just that one night. It has not been ongoing. He is not in pain or discomfort. Eats normally, drinks, long walks - everything else is normal. Restless pacing IS a red flag your dog is experiencing discomfort at a minimum if not some downright pain. Not all kinds of pain is going to keep a dog from eating to taking walks. It has gone on enough for two weeks that two adults are exhausted. Your dog is too. Time to see a vet.
 That's how we knew there was something wrong with our pup. Please don't wait for your appointment since this has gone on for so long. |
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Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
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Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Feb 12, 2015 16:51:48 GMT
conchita I do leave a couple of lights on low at night, he sleeps in his downstairs bed sometimes for 4-5 hours sometimes every hour he will come up to the second floor and wake us up lovelabs I forgot about the thunder shirt, I have one and will try it tonight scrapcat that has been my experience with senior dogs too, my last dog lived to be 17 and it was hard and heartbreaking but we never experienced the sleepless nights. For those that say bring him to the vet, I have brought him to the fill in vets before on an emergency basis. They ran expensive tests, gave me no answers and I ended up waiting for my primary vet anyway. I will reach out to friends to see if someone has a vet to refer me too but most of my friends/neighbors use my vet because I referred them to him!
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calgal08
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Jun 27, 2014 15:43:46 GMT
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Post by calgal08 on Feb 12, 2015 17:09:25 GMT
He might have doggie alzheimers. I'd never heard of it before until my old boy started pacing the house all night, climbing in the bath, drinking a lot, vague look in his eyes. I found OTC meds on Amazon (sorry, I don't remember the name of them, this was a few years ago) and they made a HUGE difference to him. If you do a general search on Amazon you'll find them (that's how I found them).
Panting, like others have said, is often associated with pain.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:59:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2015 17:17:09 GMT
Your dog sounds pretty unhappy to wait another week+ for a check. I understand where you're coming from with the fill-in vet, but I'd need to act before then. It started suddenly, which is concerning to me - like a sudden onset of pain or discomfort - or fear? did something happen around that time? Big storm, etc.? Or pain someplace you can't see/feel? Dogs are pretty stoic about discomfort and will sometimes keep eating. My point is that you can't know what's going on, and neither can we.
Anyway, before running down all the roads of potential fixes, I'd rule out medical first. Sudden onset, restlessness, waking, panting, pacing, these are clear signs something is wrong - this is not something I'd make my animals wait over a week to address.
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Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
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Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Feb 12, 2015 17:24:33 GMT
He might have doggie alzheimers. I'd never heard of it before until my old boy started pacing the house all night, climbing in the bath, drinking a lot, vague look in his eyes. I found OTC meds on Amazon (sorry, I don't remember the name of them, this was a few years ago) and they made a HUGE difference to him. If you do a general search on Amazon you'll find them (that's how I found them). Panting, like others have said, is often associated with pain. Does ProNeurozone ring a bell? A facebook friend, who is a vet tech recommended this and sent me information that I printed out to bring to my vet. |
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Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Feb 12, 2015 17:28:14 GMT
Your dog sounds pretty unhappy to wait another week+ for a check. I understand where you're coming from with the fill-in vet, but I'd need to act before then. It started suddenly, which is concerning to me - like a sudden onset of pain or discomfort - or fear? did something happen around that time? Big storm, etc.? Or pain someplace you can't see/feel? Dogs are pretty stoic about discomfort and will sometimes keep eating. My point is that you can't know what's going on, and neither can we. Anyway, before running down all the roads of potential fixes, I'd rule out medical first. Sudden onset, restlessness, waking, panting, pacing, these are clear signs something is wrong - this is not something I'd make my animals wait over a week to address. I understand the importance of bringing the dog to the vet. Again, he is a high anxiety animal. Many have honed in on the "panting" but this dog pants and whines every time we take him for a ride in the car to pick up take out. As soon as my husband gets out of the car it starts and ends when he is back in his sight. If the UPS truck pulls up to the house, he gets himself all worked up and pants until he calms himself down. He is not panting at night. Just restless, anxiety, he falls asleep then wakes up and it starts like he forgot where he is. I did try a night light too. |
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Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Feb 12, 2015 17:32:08 GMT
Thanks for all the advice and good wishes. I will try the crate, thundershirt, benadryl, night light tonight. I've made notes on the medication recommendations to discuss with my vet.
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calgal08
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,519
Jun 27, 2014 15:43:46 GMT
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Post by calgal08 on Feb 12, 2015 20:06:14 GMT
He might have doggie alzheimers. I'd never heard of it before until my old boy started pacing the house all night, climbing in the bath, drinking a lot, vague look in his eyes. I found OTC meds on Amazon (sorry, I don't remember the name of them, this was a few years ago) and they made a HUGE difference to him. If you do a general search on Amazon you'll find them (that's how I found them). Panting, like others have said, is often associated with pain. Does ProNeurozone ring a bell? A facebook friend, who is a vet tech recommended this and sent me information that I printed out to bring to my vet. I did a search on my Amazon history, we gave our boy Cholodin Canine chewables
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Post by stacy71 on Feb 13, 2015 22:58:09 GMT
I hope all of the advice helped you. If not maybe the vet can increase the Prozac. Sorry you and your dog are having a hard time.
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Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on Feb 14, 2015 0:47:26 GMT
I have a dog that takes prozac daily. He is restless when he doesn't get it. We had to adjust his pills a couple times. He is on the highest dose so the next time he needs an adjustment they will have to change pills.
He can't be put in a kennel. when we leave him home alone he gets a tranquilizer. He also gets it when we have storms, fourth of July and any other time he freaks out. When we have company he has to be put in the master bath room. when we put him in there he has to have his tranquilizer. We have to put him in the bath room when we leave the house.
I believe that your dog can be helped.
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That's how we knew there was something wrong with our pup. Please don't wait for your appointment since this has gone on for so long.
