Cathy Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 My 10 1/2 old Labrador has started acting strangely at night, pacing and digging and getting agitated. My Vet thinks it may be that he is getting senile and has put him on Clomicalm. He is showing a slight improvement but still waking and pacing in the early hours. Has anyone had experience of this ? If so I would be grateful to hear from you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jax39 Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 Hi Cathy! My oldie does this too, and has been doing so for a year or more. Unfortunately it may be a case of just getting used to it. Hopefully someone else may come along with better words of advice, but Ive never found a miracle cure, and Im used to it now, but havent had a goods nights sleep in a very long time. I do hope your lab has some improvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mop Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 Does she have arthritis? If so, it could be pain, pacing, digging and not being comfortable is signs of pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cathy Posted December 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 Hi Mrs Mopp No he doesn't have arthritis, vet said he is very fit very athletic not at all over weight. During the day he is always on the go playing with his ball etc and keen to go out walking, the problem is he seems to want to stay awake and have company all night. I have another younger Lab who has hip dysplasia and he the poor thing gets a bit perplexed about the nightly goings on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EGAR Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 Sally my ancient (16 1/2) RW x does it as well, she also starts barking at nothing and will not stop. I found the DAP diffuser to be a great help with her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cathy Posted December 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 Sally my ancient (16 1/2) RW x does it as well, she also starts barking at nothing and will not stop. I found the DAP diffuser to be a great help with her. Thanks for that I hadn't heard of these diffusers, I will get one and give it a try hopefully it will help my boy, glad it's helped your Sally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lainey Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 I had a border terrier type bitch (stray pup) who started acting strangely at 16 yrs old, she too was extremely fit and healthy. vet tried a medication that increases blood flow to the brain(can't remember what it was called), but it made her worse, also tried calmers but she was better on nothing at all, and we lived with it. You make allowances for them and adjust life to suit them. toileting accidents were dealt with quietly so she wouldn't be upset, and in her own little world she was the same happy lass she had always been. We couldnt let her off the lead in case she got lost. She did a lot of pacing and circling and got very confused and upset with sudden changes to her routine or the home. She lived till she was 17 1/2 and it was likely that it was her old age rather than the dementia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cathy Posted January 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 Just a update on my 'senile dog', he is much better not digging or pacing at night. I got a DAP diffuser as Egar suggested and it has been a great help, both of my dogs are much more relaxed. The other dog used to be terrified of thunder so I was amazed yesterday when we had a roll of thunder and he just lay in his bed and didn't react at all. So thanks to everyone for their comments, and fingers crossed my Boy will stay in a happy state. Special thanks to Egar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EGAR Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 Aww, that is great news :). Am delighted for you and the doglets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redditchlady Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 Brilliant news. Kazz xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staffymad Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Great news. If he does start doing it again, you could ask you vet about Selgian. My oldie staffy has dementia and this drug is specifically for anxiety, dementia and senile dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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