Hello,My 11 year old GSD Bitch is not sleeping at night,she has been like it for a while,we thought it was due to her arthritis,but she has been to the vet and is now on medication,which has helped.Trouble is because she can't move round as much as she used to she sleeps all day,doesn't really bother to eat,I have to encourage her.She will sleep at night until about midnight then she is up panting and whining,she wants food,which I presume is because she hasn't had enough during the day.We have tried to break the habit by keeping her awake during the day but theres no change,she will finally drop off about 4 in the morning.We have tried the DAP diffuser,left extra light on for her,I have even sat up stroking her.Is it because she is older and feeling a little more vunerable?If anyone has any suggestion please,we are willing to try anything.Thankyou
Posted:
Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:05 am
shadylady TopDog
Joined: Dec 21, 2006 Posts: 1490 Age: 22 No.Of Pets: 10+ Pet Types: dog 2 hamsters 2 snails 2 guinea pigs 3 cats and 6 rabbits
I have an 11 year old x gsd/lab and she has arthritus too, she is on metacam and it does her wonders its anti inflammatry you can also give your dog glucosamine as this seems to help alot too, your dog is in serious pain when she is panting an whining so i suggest you take her the vet and ask them whether she would benefit from a different sort of pain relief or if you can up her dosage and you musnt let her sleep all day take her on regullar walks but for short periods as this will stop her having stiff joints on top of the arthritus. ____________
Posted:
Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:47 pm
littlelab Moderator
Joined: Jan 07, 2006 Posts: 2490 Age: 36 No.Of Pets: 5 Pet Types: 2 Dogslets and 3 Kittys
Hi Thankyou for the advice and the website was very helpful.We seem to have sorted out the sleepless night problems,after initially starting her on Rimifin for arthritis,we were told to give her 1 tablet daily,then we found out about the damage it can do long term,so we tried cutting down the dose,but after the troubled nights and thinking she was in pain we upped the tablets putting her on full dose again,but she got steadily more troubled at night.We have now got her down to 1/4 tablet a day and she is doing brilliant,so we think it must have been the tablets,she is now a lot happier,she even wants to drag us to the park,but obviously we limit her distance,so we drive her over there then she gets more of a walk in the park instead of using all her energy to actually get there,and she is back to sleeping all night,she has her appitite back and peace and tranquility is once more restored in our household.We look forward to many more years looking after this old lady.I thought this might help if anyone reads and is having the same problems.Many Thanks
Posted:
Sat Sep 20, 2008 9:50 am
shadylady TopDog
Joined: Dec 21, 2006 Posts: 1490 Age: 22 No.Of Pets: 10+ Pet Types: dog 2 hamsters 2 snails 2 guinea pigs 3 cats and 6 rabbits
Pet Forums
News
Pet Links
Community
Pet Guides
Pet Tools
