elderly dog barking at night

[shakeyourcaboose]

Can someone please give us coping strategies to help get through next few nights till vet is open. Dog is barking head off constantly at night now. I can't cope with it. He is 12. Nothing has changed in routine/presentation. No peeing etc in house. No new neighbours/ noises. Have had white noise/no noise lights on lights off. I'm really feels effects of sleep deprivation and worried this will effect work

Does dog sleep downstairs? I know some people like pets in bedrooms.

Can u put light on, or put bedding in ur room. Is it only at night?

Sorry missed the lights bit. Any thing by window that blowing or banging or a neighbor annoying wind chime like mine has

Is he in pain do you think? Bladder infection? Arthritis which is making him wake up in pain?

You could try putting a t-shirt that smells strongly of you in to his basket?

Nothing that have noticed kween does it a lot in day too- but feel this isn't as noticeable due to other normal noise. Am starting to think its something cognitive?

Sleeps downstairs and always has done, we've never really had dog in bedroom due to utter destructiveness as a pup!

Don't think uti as no discernable change to bladder function but have appt at vet weds to rule this out. Is still v active and bouncy so again don't think joint pain.

I have read articles about dementia in dogs so I am thinking of this- but then I worry am making him fit the symptoms!

Poor lad. Not good for you either. Hate to say it but it is a classic symptom of dementia . Will! Be interested to hear what your vet says.

Sorry don't know how exclamation mark got in there

I'm worried about the effect on the poor dog, it doesn't sound right.

If he's struggling and barking every night you can't wait till Tues. can't you take him to the emergency vet tomorrow?

If you've got pet insurance is there a number you can ring for advice?

Just seen that the appointment isn't till Weds. Does the vet know he's barking all night and that it's completely out of character for him?

I didn't want to suggest that, that's why hope it might be something else. I do hope it's not but I'm racking my brains of what to suggest, does he bark no matter which room he in even garden? Or If when in particular room

Unfortunately this can be a sign of dementia in elderly dogs. Bless him.

I actually work within Acute Care of Elderly so have been trying to use some of my work skills across to DD. I did mention all this to vet and that I thought a cognitive impairment but they didn't seem overly concerned other than agree to do bloods. Am now hoping haven't come across like a self diagnosing arse!

Sorry and will bark wherever he is- tried making a wee hideyhole under the table with a blanket but not accepted. Was a rescue asa young dog- even the crate training was a no-go.

I wonder if he's scared. Could he have a bed with you in the bedroom?

We tried once, but as it was not his routine as never had been he just paced paced all night so still got no sleep. I've heard thunder shirts are good for anxiety so will.go and try and get one today.

Does dog hear you when you call him? Maybe problems with ears... Am totally random guessing now so what about ringing vets back and say that not only are you concerned but your neighbors are complaining? To see if can get earlier appointment.

We lost our elderly dog to dementia recently. His symptoms started with weeing and pooing all over the house so I had to confine to parts of the house. The barking at night started quickly after that, also pacing and being unable to settle. Very sad to see them go down so quickly.
You can buy over the counter a drug that starts with z (sorry can't remember the spelling) from places like pets at home. It's for anxiety, that might tide you over til u get to the vets.

Ahright I think you're thinking of Zylkine?

OP, I've had this with 2 dogs. The first had continence issues and was panicking about having accidents in the house so very noisily asking to be let out
The other just seemed to get insomnia and did it for attention and for some company when he was awake in the night.

I'm afraid it was the beginning of the end for both of them though.

Yes that's the one! The vet prescribed it in the beginning and it did work for a while.

Thank you all for great advice and support @ahrightoted am so sorry to hear about your dog. And so sorry all for not responding quicker, spoke to the vet and a telephone consult. Didn't feel needed to see us but said to call back if got really worried. Still going tomorrowof course! made few changes at home and he's settled better. Radio now on classic fm which seems to be much more calming. Have changed food which seems to make him happier, someone at work mentioned protein % can make a difference? Not sure if this is bunkum but trying. Got the bamphur valerien spot on which has seemed to help as well and I'll get say to the vet about the tablets as well. Don't want to jinx it but 2 nights so far of unbroken sleep!

Is his eyesight OK? If its a bit blurry maybe he feels disorientated. .

He does have a little cloudiness in one eye but only a tiny bit. I'll ask vet to look tomorrow too, thanks.

Glad that you been able to find something to help your dog, I like a happy dog ending. Hope all goes well at vets tmrw.

I was almost right guessing when mentioned about hearing as obviously I would if asked next if your dog prefers different music to you

Kween I know! Another good night so pleased with that! Have obviously been too much of a philistine for him, classic music and fancy food and he's much better! Did not think I would be able to joke about this so so much happier!