Most of us know that a sleeping disorder happens only in humans, and yet we are not aware that it can also occur in your dog as well. If you notice, your dog sleep more often, however, at the same time, they can adjust to their sleeping patterns unlike to humans. So, if you find your dog having trouble while sleeping, they might be tired during the entire day of playing or they experiencing sleep disorder.
We all know that sleeping disorder in most people is not healthy, what more if your dog has the same issue as like this? It is quite alarming, yet by mistake, we sometimes ignore it. If a person has disrupted sleep patterns, we recognize it as symptoms of illness, signs of old age, and life-changing diseases.
While on the other hand, the dog sleeping patterns are the same as into many people. It can be disturbed by such different factors, most especially if your dog is an older one. So, either it causes medical or behavioral problems, it can affect the sleeping patterns of your dog.
The Four Common Sleep Disorder Found in Dogs
Dogs are also struggling with sleep disorders. They can likely experience whimpering, crying, or waking up all throughout the night. As a result, they become inactive, look confused and lack of energy during the whole day. Sleep deprivation also occurs in the dog where it can cause weakening their immune system, develop stress hormones, or any other behavioral issues.
What’s more is your dog can also encounter this common sleep disorder which are:
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is an uncommon sleep disorder in dogs. It is also a nervous system sleep disorder which can affect most dogs especially the young one. Indeed, it caused by the hereditary illness which can lead to irregular low-level of hypocretin. Hypocretin play roles as it regulates the sleep, arousal, wakefulness, and appetite condition. On the other hand, the most prevalent form of narcolepsy is the result of the loss of hypocretin in the brain which your dog might experience harm in their muscle tones. Additionally, being overweight, sluggishness, and failure to function generally of the immune system is also the result of narcolepsy.
Signs and symptoms in a dog with narcolepsy:
- They unexpectedly breakdown and fall asleep which often occurs when they are feeling excited, or any physical activity such as playing, eating, and greeting.
- Their muscles become sluggish and seem to have a deep sleep with REM (Rapid Eye Movement)
- They are stimulant to specific loud noise which makes them awake while asleep.
While this is not life-threatening, however, it is not also curable. So, in that case, the veterinarian will examine sleep disorder based on the clinical indications. Thus, documenting in the narcoleptic scene is essential. Hence, it can minimize and prevent this condition that causes narcolepsy’s in dogs.
Insomnia
We all know that insomnia is a common sleep problem of most people, and yet, dog also experiencing this kind of sleep problem. Insomnia is when you are struggling with sleep. Like in humans, dogs are sometimes waking up during the night. However, they cannot bring back their rest once they are conscious. Although this condition is uncommon for dogs, however, it can indicate several health risks.
If your dog diagnosed with this underlying health issues, the vet would recommend the right solution to cure your dog. This particular medication includes pain reliever in arthritis which can give them a better and comfortable sleep. Moreover, giving your dogs an acupuncture treatment will improve their sleep, and relieve sudden pain, jitters, as well as other kidney problems. Additionally, giving your old-age dog with omega-3 fatty acids can help them to increase their brain activity.
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Behavior Disorder
Most of us know that dogs are recognizable in their air pawing during sleep. A dog with REM behavioral disorder usually awakes without disorientation that results in some physical activities during sleep. Dogs with this sleep disorder tend to hit some objects and run into the walls while they are moderately awake.
On the other hand, if you notice that your dog is encountering REM behavioral disorder, don’t try to diagnose it on your own. The best thing you can do to help your dog is to visit their vet. The veterinarian will give some treatment with medication known as CLONAZEPAM.
This treatment will decrease the physical activity if your dog while sleep. However, if this sleep disorder is constant, perhaps it can lead to possible health, emotional and mental issues. Remember that, once you notice that your dog has this kind of sleep issues, try to record their daily habit. In that case, the vet will examine your dog’s condition and prescribe the right cure to have your dog a peaceful and better sleep.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea not just only happen to humans it can also occur in dogs, however, it was a rare condition for them. If you observe your dog while sleeping, you will probably notice that they are making a loud sound noise known as snoring. Dogs with sleep apnea, like to humans, they also stop breathing for a limited time which leads to waking them up. Thus, if this scenario is constant several times, your dog cannot be able to have endless REM sleep problem.
Furthermore, the never-ending sleep disturbances can lead to your dog feeling exhausted and inactive for the whole day. Sleep apnea most often occurs in dogs like overweight dogs, and Frenchie Dogs. This dog is prone to snoring due to their small airway which leads them difficult to breathe during sleep.
So, if your dog is suffering from sleep apnea, don’t ignore it. Visit a veterinarian for the appropriate medical treatment. This treatment may include surgery, weight reduction, or even using air humidifiers. Those recommended treatments will help your dog to breathe as it is open their airways to improve their breathing.
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