Any idea what is wrong with my dog?

[Howmanysleepstilchristmas]

Obviously I’m taking him to the vet in the morning, but does anyone have any idea what could be going on? My 9 year old Labrador was asleep yesterday evening when he suddenly started yelping/ screaming. He carried on until I crossed the room to him, at which point he stopped, stood up wagging his tail and cuddled up to me. No tenderness anywhere, no obvious source of pain, walking normally. I assumed it was a bad dream or something as he was fine once I was there. He’s just woken me up yelping again. As before, he stopped as soon as I got there, is behaving normally, walking fine, can sit and lie comfortably, is able to toilet normally, no abdominal tenderness, no pain on stretching or feeling his legs.... has anyone had similar? Or are there any vets around to advise?

Rage syndrome or some other form of epilepsy?

When my DSis's (timid, soppy) spaniel developed RS, the diagnosis was missed for a while because it manifested as fear and yelping.

I hope not! He doesn’t seem scared or aggressive though, as soon as I approach I get licked and cuddled like normal. Would it work that way?

Well, going straight back to normal afterwards is pretty much the signature of RS, but only you can say if you think there's a chance it's seizure related (RS being a seizure disorder).

FWIW, my doggy DN is fine now on anti-epileptics.

I'm sure there are other possibilities, though.

My 9 year old dog did this about six months ago - he was happily snoring away then suddenly woke with a start and started yelping and growling (he is the softest dog in the world, I had never heard him growl until that point!). I said his name and he calmed down and started wagging his tail.

It's never happened before or since - I assumed it was a nightmare!

Is there a storm where you are?

Our old lab would be sensitive to the weather in her sleep and bark and growl and cry and we realised that it was at the sounds of thunder even if it was very faint and a long way away.

No definitive answer OP but would wonder, given your dog's age, about arthritis. Both my dogs in the early stages would get sudden twinges in their sleep, one also got painful sudden cramps and this would sometimes cause yelping or similar. After they moved around or adjusted their position the acute pain would subside. They both masked their symptoms for some time so no obvious limping in the initial stages.

The vets think it was bad dreams! Said no need to take him in as he’s eating/drinking/ toileting/ walking and playing without problem. They think the storms and weather may have contributed and just to monitor for now.