11 year old having night time panic attacks

[johnxjsc1985]

My old girl Sukie has recently started to have panic attacks at night. When we go to bed she starts pawing at the door trying to get in. She sleeps in the hall with Roxie as she had done for the last 8 or so years.
Nothing has changed in the last 18 months since we brought Bobby home and she has been fine with him.
I tried putting her in another room as we are all losing sleep because of it but this just made her panic even more frantic.
Anyone had similar experience. She is in good health not overweight a little stiff now in the back legs but still very active.

[bexVN]

Older dogs can start getting senility behavioural changes one of which is night time restlessness. They become more noise sensitive so it could be a noise happening at night that has triggered the response.

There are things to try. Natural remedies like Aktivait is one, a plug in calming treatment (either ADAPTIL or Pet Remedy). A vet ck and discussion may offer other options (which could Inc drug therapies)

Have you let her in your room to see if she settles?

[Trophy Husband]

My 15 year old collie dog went through this. He's deaf, arthritic and a bit senile but we love him. You didn't say if she has lost any hearing but if she has in my experience they retain the lower register more than the upper so rumbles, the wind etc spook them. If she's arthritic then she may be in pain which is a stressor and needs addressing. Kesh has loxicom which isn't dear from our farm vet. We also use Dr Bach Rescue Remedy in the evening before we go to bed. All of this has been done to address him not settling at night. He's gone from padding around scratching at doors, whimpering and yelping to chilling far better. He's still a bit mental though! Best of luck, it's not nice thinking your mate is suffering.

[johnxjsc1985]

bexVN said:

Older dogs can start getting senility behavioural changes one of which is night time restlessness. They become more noise sensitive so it could be a noise happening at night that has triggered the response.

There are things to try. Natural remedies like Aktivait is one, a plug in calming treatment (either ADAPTIL or Pet Remedy). A vet ck and discussion may offer other options (which could Inc drug therapies)

Have you let her in your room to see if she settles?

She settles down when I take her in the lounge and she sleeps next to me but the couch isn't that comfortable.
She has lost some hearing and is a bit arthritic.
She was fine last night .

[moorx]

I would second Aktivait as a supplement.

[Turn7]

Milo used to sleep in the haalway when we had Millie, but he hated it when she was gone.

I ended up putting his bed at the side of ours and he was happy with that.

Maybe a possibilty ?

[CoolHands]

I know nothing about dogs but just a suggestion - maybe try a radio tuned to radio 4 down low nearby. Maybe it will sooth him if his hearing is going a bit funny.

[xjay1337]

Our dogs know all about the archers haha.

Music / sound / talking is quite good for dogs, they are notably more happy with the radio on than without.

[johnxjsc1985]

Turn7 said:

Milo used to sleep in the haalway when we had Millie, but he hated it when she was gone.

I ended up putting his bed at the side of ours and he was happy with that.

Maybe a possibilty ?

Our puppy Bobby has been with us from day one in the bedroom he was really poorly when we got him and he doesn't allow the girls in and they accept this.
I will look at the natural calming measures. Cheers everyone