Nocturnal Greyhound

[Meredith]

We adopted Meredith about 2.5 years ago. She is a broodie, and is almost 11 years old. 

Meredith has always been an amazing sleeper, day and night. The past two weeks that has changed entirely. 

Meredith now wakes up pretty much every hour the entire night. She gets up and digs on her bed and paces the room over and over and over. When you say her name she gets back in bed to lay down until the next round of pacing.

She is not hungry. She doesn't need to go outside for the bathroom. She could always use more exercise (can't we all?), but she doesn't like taking walks for more than 5-10 minutes at a time. There isn't anything going on in the house or neighborhood that should keep her up.

All behavior in the daytime is unchanged. Trying to solve this without medication. But we need sleep! Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

 

Katie and Meredith Grey(hound).

[MerseyGrey]

Could she be cold? Ours is already in his toasty winter coat as the weather has changed and the temperatures have dropped overnight here.

[Remolacha]

I agree, when mine are restless at night I have found they usually are cold. This could be new because she is getting older.

Edited September 20, 2020 by Remolacha

[Time4ANap]

Definitely try a blanket or a lightweight house coat.  Houndtime.com has flannel housecoats that are perfect for in the house when the hound is chilly. 

[BatterseaBrindl]

     

As they age they do tend to feel the cold more.  We've not even had a hard frost yet and Nigel needs his fleece on overnight.

 

[Hubcitypam]

My dogs have no choice but to be nocturnal as I am.  5-7 aim is bedtime.  

[Beachbum1]

"Dogs and people with dementia often suffer from disturbances in their sleep-wake cycles. Those affected by "sundowning" sleep more during the day and remain awake, disoriented, and agitated throughout the night. Human patients with cognitive impairment become easily confused and are prone to becoming lost, while a dog with dementia may pace or wander out of the yard. These circumstances account for why people and pets with dementia must not be left unattended, especially in unfamiliar places. Dog parents must take extra precautions to ensure that their pet always has proper identification and is not able to accidentally escape from the home or property."

[Hubcitypam]

Thanks for the diagnosis. 

No excuses for my mental health but  How silly of me to think I stay up late and sleep during the day as I spent 35 years bartending and being a cocktail waitress from the Gusher lounge at the Holiday Inn in Ardmore, OK  
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g29976-d3195803-Reviews-Gusher_Lounge-Ardmore_Oklahoma.html
to 5 star hotels in Illinois..  Texas bars close at 2 a.m.. but in Chicago they can get a permit to stay open until 4 (5 on Saturday)  By the time we'd check out it was often 5 or later.  The good thing was that all the bartenders would sign up for 5 or 6  a.m. tee times at the public golf courses with no problem.   We were also known to get  beer and sit on the curb for two hours between 5 and 7 a,m,. until Rossi's opened again.  
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g35805-d4731627-Reviews-Rossi_s_Liquors-Chicago_Illinois.html

Edited September 21, 2020 by Hubcitypam

[cleptogrey]

1 hour ago, Beachbum1 said:

"Dogs and people with dementia often suffer from disturbances in their sleep-wake cycles. Those affected by "sundowning" sleep more during the day and remain awake, disoriented, and agitated throughout the night. Human patients with cognitive impairment become easily confused and are prone to becoming lost, while a dog with dementia may pace or wander out of the yard. These circumstances account for why people and pets with dementia must not be left unattended, especially in unfamiliar places. Dog parents must take extra precautions to ensure that their pet always has proper identification and is not able to accidentally escape from the home or property."

Talk to your vet. Senalife might help, might not. It sounds like dimentia It affects your quality of life more than her's. 

[IndyandHollyluv]

Hi there. I'm sorry about Meredith. I live in the upper Midwest and I ALWAYS cover my hounds at night w/lightweight blankies/throws from fall through spring. Sometimes they get hot and rearrange in their dog beds but I believe older dogs appreciate the added warmth.

Also I adopted a senior hound a number of years ago, but sadly after his two senior houndmates passed away, he was EXTREMELY distressed and I realized didn't hear all that well. Then there were a few consecutive weekends where he was up ALL NIGHT until dawn. Crying, panting, pacing (probably sundowning) -- it was heartbreaking. He was 13. So I finally had to say goodbye. He was so distraught.

I would start with a blankie or coat and go from there. Good luck!

Edited September 21, 2020 by IndyandHollyluv

[greysmom]

Definitely time for a vet visit to discuss canine cognitive disfunction.  It can come on gradually or suddenly, and can be very scary for everyone.

 

Pam -     -  I'm pretty sure the diagnosis quote was for the OP and not aimed at you.   

[FiveRoooooers]

As Meredith is a senior, in addition to the suggestions above she might also be experiencing pain somewhere and can't find a way to get comfortable. Good luck with your sweet girl, please let us know how she's doing!