No sleep, up three times a night, any advice?

[PatsyJStone]

Have fairly small old dog, took him in age 12, is now 15.
Is on two types of medication, one which makes him drink, but not excessively. He gets us up a minimum of twice a night, usually three times, sometimes four to go out to the loo.
He will whinge until we take him or he will go in the bedroom.
We’ve tried leaving him in the kitchen, but he barked for an hour and it felt cruel and stressful to him so that didn’t work.
Even with a bedtime walk he still gets up.
We are permanently knackered and our only respite is when we go away and he stays in doggy day care.
Asked the vet about sleeping pills but she said she would worry he wouldn’t wake up.
He is extremely attached to me and has other behaviours that make me think he is very anxious, and I’m told he doesn’t do it with other people, he seems to be attention seeking often, just with me.
We love him dearly, he won’t be getting rehomed, and we hope he continues to be healthy and happy. But are we destined to be tired for a few more years?
Any suggestions?

[jinxpixie]

I guess your vet can find no medical reason for the need for more weeing?I would want basic tests to confirm that but it sounds like your vet is involved.

It could be dog dementia - some dogs can get unsettled in the night, bark, wake up disoriented etc again your vet can help with some medication for this.I can help in some dogs.

Does he wee as much in the day or is it just the night?

If there is no medical reason I would work on basic calm and comfort.

Make sure he is warm enough - would doggy jumper help him feel more relaxed? Are noises waking him eg the wind or noise, animals outside. Someimes making the room darker may help or sometimes a bit of light can be reassuring.

Maybe try a later walk and see if this settles him for longer, although I see you have tried this - would a longer walk help?

An adpatil collar or plug in might help.

Your poor things you must be exhausted

[jinxpixie]

I can help in some dogs = it can help some dogs

[Toria70]

White noise/radio left on in background may help?

My Mum has got a 13 yr old Yorkie and he's driving them round the bend with his night waking. They're trying a Thundershirt at the moment along with the radio left on quietly.

And ask the vet about adjusting the time his medication is taken? I pee like a racehorse after taking my BP meds in the morning - I forgot it once and took it in the evening, never again, it was horrific!

[PatsyJStone]

Thank you for your suggestions. It’s given me somethings to consider. I may try the adaptil and see about the meds timing, but I’ve a feeling it’s the twice a day tablet which has the effect on the water. Will also try longer walk later when weather is better but he’s got arthritis and can’t do that far as he carries most of his weight on his front legs and has no muscle around the bottom, he starts limping with too much exercise.
Yes there’s never anything wrong with him, except what we already know, always surprisingly healthy 😊.
He can wee a lot, more when we’re home, once he went four times in an hour, but usually once an hour, maybe bit longer. He can hold it longer but I wonder if he’s just got in his head he has to keep going. He doesn’t have massive wees, I second count them so I can compare! We can put him out twice before bed in half an hour and he’s still up within two hours.
Think he’s warm enough as he moves onto the carpet from his bed sometimes which I think is to keep him cooler. The room is not too hot or cold generally.
I don’t think it’s too dark or light, although it’s more darker, but he finds his way to the door no problem when he wants to go out as there is a light on the landing. It’s also very quiet.
I may try radio in the kitchen one night and see how it goes again. But I know he will be distraught he’s not upstairs with me. Why are they so attached?! I love it but has its down sides.
When he is overnight with another dog he’s as quiet as a mouse by all accounts! But we can’t consider another for practical reasons, and hes always been alone, very little socialised from what I can tell, and doesn’t have a clue about playing with other dogs. He was terrified for the first year and hadn’t got a clue how to interract with other dogs, even now, he doesn’t do sniffing and freezes when they sniff him. But he is never aggressive, snappy or unfriendly, he just doesn’t know what to do or have any interest in pursuing doggy friendships. It’s us he sees as his friends.
He is a Yorkie.
I’ll have to persevere as other half is struggling now after three years of interrupted sleep 😆
Thank you again. Maybe I just got a super special one 🙃

[confusedandemployed]

I have an 18yo JRT but thankfully he has a bladder like lake Titicaca, even though he drinks more than usual now.

Maybe not helpful but at this age, would not waking up after having a sedative be so bad?

[PatsyJStone]

Confused -Hi!

I think the vet meant never wake up 😳 she didn’t explain any differently. She just didn’t want to consider it.

He has wet himself once when sleeping recently and I felt very sorry for him, although he seemed oblivious, so maybe not the best idea of mine to knock him out.

[villainousbroodmare]

Is he on a twice-daily diuretic like furosemide? Give the second dose earlier.

[PatsyJStone]

Villainous - Yes! He is!

I’ll try that and see how it goes.
Thank you

[villainousbroodmare]

It takes about 60- 90 minutes for furosemide to start working, so I normally suggest giving the second dose in the early rather than late evening.