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Elderly dog barking at night, pacing, and seeming restless - any pet owners with advice?

Posted on 11/17/22 at 10:53 am
Posted by StringedInstruments
Member since Oct 2013
18357 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 10:53 am
My 13 year old German Shepherd has been extra annoying the past month. It started with her having accidents peeing in the house. She had around 15 accidents in a three day span. The vet tested for a UTI, which was negative, but prescribed antibiotics anyway.

The accidents stopped but right as they did, she started barking to be let out of her room at night. She’s slept in this same part of the house for the last 5 years with no problems.

At first I figured she needed to go out, but she had no desire to go back to the room. She would pant and yelp and whine until we let her out.

We tried to move her into a different room, which works for the first part of the night but then she barks again, panting and acting like she’s in distress.

She’s calm if we put her in our room, but she paces around the room at random times, scratches, licks herself, and sometimes wakes us up as if it’s time to get up. This morning she got up at 3am acting super excited. I thought she needed to go to the bathroom but she only went to her food bowl wanting to eat.

Anyone experience anything like this? Advice? I’m losing quite a bit of sleep due to her being so damn noisy at night.
This post was edited on 11/17/22 at 10:54 am
Posted by Sweep Da Leg
Member since Sep 2013
902 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 10:54 am to
Sorry to tell you this but it’s probably dementia. Your pup is having anxiety. There’s not much you can do when they get like this. Poor guy
Posted by Emteein
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2011
3886 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 10:55 am to


quote:

Advice? I’m losing quite a bit of sleep due to her being so damn noisy at night.


Posted by SportsGuyNOLA
New Orleans, LA
Member since May 2014
16992 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 10:56 am to
A 13 year old German Shepherd is at the end.

You’re lucky to have one to make it that long.
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
115570 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 10:56 am to
You could try cbd/hemp made for dogs
Posted by fr33manator
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2010
123964 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 10:57 am to
She’s coming to the end of her path brother.

Try and make her remaining time good. She’s been a good girl.

Posted by idlewatcher
County Jail
Member since Jan 2012
78951 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 10:57 am to
CBD for pups. Do it.
Posted by tigerinthebueche
Member since Oct 2010
36791 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 10:57 am to
Either you have a ghost in your home or
Your dog has undiagnosed health issues. Dementia wouldn’t be ruled out either. Our 15 YO FBD is exhibiting dementia symptoms currently. Won’t be long till it’s time to euthanize her.
Posted by SportsGuyNOLA
New Orleans, LA
Member since May 2014
16992 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 10:57 am to
They usually live 10-12 years at most.
Posted by jamiegla1
Member since Aug 2016
6970 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 10:58 am to
my 13 y/o dog does the same thing. She just paces and pants around the den. Reminds me of my dad sundowning with alzheimers
Posted by TheOcean
#honeyfriedchicken
Member since Aug 2004
42460 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 10:59 am to
CBD would probably help a lot
Posted by Tshiz
Idaho
Member since Jul 2013
7553 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 11:00 am to
How’s her energy level been for exercise? Did you change her exercise routine, walking, etc? Did she eat something different?

Could be something mental like mentioned above. She may be near her end.
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
115570 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 11:00 am to
quote:

CBD for pups. Do it.


People will poopoo it but it worked well for one of mine
Posted by StringedInstruments
Member since Oct 2013
18357 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 11:01 am to
Well shite. I just made a thread a few weeks ago about my FIL developing dementia. I guess it’s the fricking trend.

I’ll look into CBD oil. Anyone try melatonin for dogs?
Posted by StringedInstruments
Member since Oct 2013
18357 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 11:02 am to
quote:

How’s her energy level been for exercise? Did you change her exercise routine, walking, etc? Did she eat something different?


She’s fine. She still enjoys walks (usually a small one in the morning and a longer one at night). Still eats well. Is playful during the day.

Just super annoying at night and having anxiety when in her room.
Posted by Bestbank Tiger
Premium Member
Member since Jan 2005
70929 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 11:08 am to
Might want to give it a sedative at night.
Posted by greenbean
USAF Retired
Member since Feb 2019
4556 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 11:09 am to
quote:

She’s fine. She still enjoys walks (usually a small one in the morning and a longer one at night). Still eats well. Is playful during the day.

Just super annoying at night and having anxiety when in her room.



That settles it, your house is haunted. Have the walls started bleeding? Any kooshma sightings?
Posted by Swamp Angel
Georgia
Member since Jul 2004
7257 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 11:09 am to
The panting and pacing can be a sign of distress brought on by physical discomfort such as arthritis, general soreness in joints, mild to moderate discomfort not really described as pain but definitely noticeable to her.

Our old dog, Boudreaux, acted similarly during the last few months of his life. The vet prescribed Gabapentin for him and it seemed to work well with only a few mild side effects. It's more of a "nerve transmitter interrupter" than it is an actual pain killer. It's used to aid in recovery after surgery as well as to lower anxiety.

Ask your vet whether this might be something that might help your pup. Link describing Gabapentin uses for dogs HERE
Posted by double d
Amarillo by morning
Member since Jun 2004
16408 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 11:09 am to
I have had 2 elderly labs that did this around 14 years of age. Both of them quickly went downhill when the behavior you described started. In both cases I had to have them put down within a month or so of this; they got to the point where they could hardly get up a walk or eat. Was hard to do but part of owning the pet, I sat at their sides until they were gone.

Sorry to be a downer but that was my experience with the situation you described.
Posted by MyRockstarComplex
The airport
Member since Nov 2009
3285 posts
Posted on 11/17/22 at 11:15 am to
That was the beginning of the end for my old friend. She made it about a week after the night panics and non-stop accidents began. It’s a bummer, but I knew on our walk the night before that it was likely our last walk together.

Sorry baw
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