Have you tried the Thunder Shirt? It helps my dog with anxiety. ( my dog is 8) It works by swaddling them like a baby …perhaps worth a try.
Our old guy had the same…fine during the day, wandering, panting all night (one time he wound up in the bathtub …). We managed it very successfully with Anipryl, might be worth talking to your vet about. Good luck!
just a thought, but my older lab was exhibiting similar symptoms…she was about 9 but didn’t seem senior-ish in any way…turns out she had a thyroid issue…one pill.once a day, and she had many more good years til she died at age 15…so, just wondering if maybe that had been included on a blood panel…
good luck and bless you…it’s so hard, and they are so beloved
My beloved Jack Russell, Eddie and I had three years with Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. I slept on the floor with him with a leash around my wrist so when he began his nightly wandering I’d be sure to wake up so I could take him out. Three years. I loved that dog so, I’d do anything for him - and I did.
There are more options for CDS these days and since my current Jack Russell is starting to develop some symptoms I’m getting ready to go through it again. This time though, it won’t be as easy since Thistle has Cujo Moments (vet even put that in his records).
An Adaptil collar REALLY helped. I got my initial collar through the vet’s office but found Allivet.com has them about fifteen dollars cheaper. I also have Quiet Moments chewables and Composure chewables for him. The Adaptil collar has made all the difference though.
My vet and I agreed not to start him on the other types of meds until we absolutely need to since he has other health issues.
As suggested in a post above, I also encourage you to find a veterinarian familiar with CDS. You and your dog will need help and veterinary support through this.
[QUOTE=Crockpot;8250419]
Yes. She has cushings which is being managed quite well with meds but still has some nght time restlessness.[/QUOTE]
Sorry to hijack the OP, but Crockpot, is your dog being treated with trilostane? My now 16 y.o. lab mix was diagnosed with Cushings 3 years ago and we started him on trilostane. His anxiety went through the roof and his behavior was so perplexing to me. We ended up having one of his ACTH stim tests sent to U of Tenn for an adrenal panel and turns out that while his cortisol was managed, all of his other sex hormones were through the roof. Apparently, that’s sometimes an effect of trilostane use…it creates Atypical Cusings.
We have since quit trilostane, gave him a washout period, and started him on lysodren, and all the anxiety dissipated. Food for thought…
Tramadol really helped for our old girl. Some dogs get pain relief from it, others get a sedative effect, ours got both. She’d be a little loopy but she slept well.
[QUOTE=glfprncs;8254395]
Sorry to hijack the OP, but Crockpot, is your dog being treated with trilostane? My now 16 y.o. lab mix was diagnosed with Cushings 3 years ago and we started him on trilostane. His anxiety went through the roof and his behavior was so perplexing to me. We ended up having one of his ACTH stim tests sent to U of Tenn for an adrenal panel and turns out that while his cortisol was managed, all of his other sex hormones were through the roof. Apparently, that’s sometimes an effect of trilostane use…it creates Atypical Cusings.
We have since quit trilostane, gave him a washout period, and started him on lysodren, and all the anxiety dissipated. Food for thought…[/QUOTE]
Thanks. She’s on Vetoryl which has been amazing for a year or so knock on wood. The excessive drinking and peeing which was keeping us both up all night every night is completely gone . Drinking and peeing now normal. Only issue is the sporadic panting episodes at night. For example- last night she did this twice but mostly slept quietly. I think it is probably the best we can do. Her quality of life is otherwise good. She is seen every three months by the vet.
[QUOTE=Crockpot;8254485]
Thanks. She’s on Vetrolyn which has been amazing for a year or so knock on wood. The excessive drinking and peeing which was keeping us both up all night every night is completely gone . Drinking and peeing now normal. Only issue is the sporadic panting episodes at night. For example- last night she did this twice but mostly slept quietly. I think it is probably the best we can do. Her quality of life is otherwise good. She is seen every three months by the vet.[/QUOTE]
Vetrolyn or Vetoryl? Vetoryl is trilostane (generic name). If your pup is well managed otherwise, I’d just file my info away in the back of your mind in the event any anxiety ensues. I was hesitant to change to lysodren from Vetoryl, but it was the best decision I made (his other symptoms weren’t well managed on the Vetoryl, though, unlike your pup).
oops sorry typo= yes vetoryl. I would be reluctant to change her meds now as we had such dramatic and continued improvement but I do appreciate your comments and will discuss with vet next time we are in. Sorry for this hijack of OP thread,.
maybe a shot in the dark but don’t think anyone’s mentioned it. My older girl was restless and at a trainer’s suggestion I talked to my vet about pain meds. Put her on Rimadyl and she’s much more settled. Good luck.
He’s on a pain killer at night which I don’t know if it is helping or not. He’s been on one for the last six months or so.
I’ve been reluctant to post again because I didn’t want to jinx myself but I think we’ve found something that is working.
Time release Melatonin. I had run out of regular Melatonin and went into HiHealth to get more and the employee suggested the time release Melatonin.
We are almost on 10 days and he’s sleeping through the night:)
The going to sleep was never his issue, it was waking up a few hours later and then having problems going back to sleep.
He’s so much happier! Thanks for all of your suggestions etc.
I thought I’d share this in case anyone else was having this problem. Other than having issues staying asleep, he’s really pretty healthy for a 13 yr old large dog so I know this probably won’t work for everyone but it’s a safe and inexpensive thing to try!
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[QUOTE=maunder;8254198]
My beloved Jack Russell, Eddie and I had three years with Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. I slept on the floor with him with a leash around my wrist so when he began his nightly wandering I’d be sure to wake up so I could take him out. Three years. I loved that dog so, I’d do anything for him - and I did.
There are more options for CDS these days and since my current Jack Russell is starting to develop some symptoms I’m getting ready to go through it again. This time though, it won’t be as easy since Thistle has Cujo Moments (vet even put that in his records).
An Adaptil collar REALLY helped. I got my initial collar through the vet’s office but found Allivet.com has them about fifteen dollars cheaper. I also have Quiet Moments chewables and Composure chewables for him. The Adaptil collar has made all the difference though.
My vet and I agreed not to start him on the other types of meds until we absolutely need to since he has other health issues.
As suggested in a post above, I also encourage you to find a veterinarian familiar with CDS. You and your dog will need help and veterinary support through this.[/QUOTE]
I just came from the CHF Conference in St Louis and one of the lectures was on CDS. Dr Gary Landsberg was the guest lecturer. Someone else mentioned Selegiline, but another option is diet. Hills Canine b/d or Purina Veterinary Diet (Essential Care Senior, Pro Plan Bright Minds) have all proven to be effective. I would try the food first before I go with meds… but it all depends on how far along the dog is and your vet’s recommendation (You might try to find a vet behaviorist). Dr Landsberg had this issue with his Toller and once she was on the diet and I believe some meds, she went on to live another 5 years comfortably.
There is a book, “Decoding your Dog” where he wrote a chapter on the aging dog. You can read it on Amazon.
Good luck, I wish I had known about this with my old girl. Sadly I did not and wound up putting her to sleep…
[QUOTE=Arizona DQ;8269867]
I just came from the CHF Conference in St Louis and one of the lectures was on CDS. Dr Gary Landsberg was the guest lecturer. Someone else mentioned Selegiline, but another option is diet. Hills Canine b/d or Purina Veterinary Diet (Essential Care Senior, Pro Plan Bright Minds) have all proven to be effective. I would try the food first before I go with meds… but it all depends on how far along the dog is and your vet’s recommendation (You might try to find a vet behaviorist). Dr Landsberg had this issue with his Toller and once she was on the diet and I believe some meds, she went on to live another 5 years comfortably.
There is a book, “Decoding your Dog” where he wrote a chapter on the aging dog. You can read it on Amazon.
Good luck, I wish I had known about this with my old girl. Sadly I did not and wound up putting her to sleep…[/QUOTE]
That’s very interesting about diet, Arizona. I’m going to look into that for my Jack Russell, Thistle. All health issues have been ruled out with my guy so it’s just mental with him. Thankfully the Adaptil collar has made all the difference and he’s not had a “Cujo Moment” since putting it on over a month ago. I’m just about ready to switch to a new collar. I also give him a Quiet Moments chew if he gets creepy and trembly.
Hype, I’m so glad the melatonin is working for your dog! Isn’t it a relief? 
Maunder, may I ask you where you got your Jack Russell Thistle? I sold a little wirehaired male I had named Thistle to someone who lived in Purcellville VA who became a therapy dog. May be just coincidence.
[QUOTE=Calamber;8270362]
Maunder, may I ask you where you got your Jack Russell Thistle? I sold a little wirehaired male I had named Thistle to someone who lived in Purcellville VA who became a therapy dog. May be just coincidence.[/QUOTE]
A good name for a Jack Russell! My dog came from a terrific working terrier breeder/shower in NY. He wouldn’t have made a good therapy dog but he’s a terrific hunter and house guarder.
I read the comments and what isn’t mentioned is PAIN. Maybe your dog is confused but panting and restless pacing is also a clear sign of pain. Why at night. We don’t really understand it but inflamation and pain in humans and dogs is always worse at night. Those of you with any chronic pain issues will be nodding your heads.
I solved this with one dog by giving her tramadol as soon as she started pacing. I just could not put her down which i should have done sooner. The tramadol helped and she’d sleep. Sometimes she’d come in my room at 3am asking for a pill,get her pill and go back to bed. They are so smart.
Hate to read your story. Your dog is suffering and its your responsibilty to take care of that. Sad but we’ve all been there.
There is no perfect time,i have always waited to long hoping for that heart attack that never comes.
I also have a senior dog who will be 17 in June and I see the signs of cognition decline. His vet and groomer seem to hint that maybe I should put him down but they only see him an hour or two at any given time. He still eats, drinks, likes to go for walks and occasionally misses the pee pad. He is on medication for his heart, has weakness in his back legs so he can no longer walk the stairs, sleeps all day and used to roam at night. He now sleeps in my bed at night which prevents him from roaming. Some nights he’s up at 2:30 am thinking it’s time to get up but I can usually get him back to sleep. i just don’t want him in any pain. I hope I’m doing what’s best for him and not me.
