Chihuahua whines incessantly all night long

[BruisersMom]

My chihuahua will be 10 in December. He's still very active and playful and has not slowed down a bit due to his age. Throughout his entire life, he has slept burrowed under the covers in bed. About three or four months ago, he would jump off the bed as soon as we turned the light off and go sleep on the floor in the bathroom. Now, in the past three weeks or so, as soon as the light goes off and we go to sleep, he whines INCESSANTLY throughout the entire night. We have tried everything: keeping a light on for him, keeping the TV on, feeding him, walking him in the middle of the night, giving him extra exercise during the day, bringing him back in bed cuddling him, petting him, throwing toys for him in the middle of the night. NOTHING WORKS. I get out of bed and bring him back into my bed literally 10-15 times during the night, only to have him jump off the bed 90 seconds later. He has no interest in chew toys, so that's not an option. He's never confined to a crate and has full run of the house.

I'm planning on taking him to the vet, but I really don't believe there is anything physically wrong with him as the only time he behaves like this is at night. It seems to be some type of anxiety, but I have no idea what could be causing it, or how to stop it. I really don't want to sedate him.

There haven't been any major (or minor) changes in his life or routine recently.

Anybody have any experience with this? Feedback/thoughts/ideas would be greatly appreciated.

We've only been able to get 2-3 hours of sleep at night lately because of his carrying on.

[LucyBee]

Do take him to the vet.My cocker spaniel mix started displaying this behavior when she got older and it proved to be the start of the equivalent of doggie Alzheimer's.She was given Aricept ( I believe that is the name,not positive about the spelling) and it helped considerably.Another frequent sign of this is trying to hide under or behind furniture.See what the vet says.I hope it's something much more simple,though as I said,the medication helped her quite a bit and she lived to be 15 years old.Best luck and please Let us know how it goes.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

I do feel badly for you and your Chihuahua. Obviously, you know what you're doing as your post was concise, informative and articulate. How refreshing!

Lucy has a point, and it would have been my suggestion as well. Since you, "BruisersMom" had already mentioned the Vet, I do think it's a good idea. When nothing seems to have changed, except their behaviour and you've tried everything that you know has worked in the past, it is time to see the Vet, especially with a dog that is 10.

Please keep us posted as I know this is not very common, and perhaps your experience, like Lucy's, can be helpful to others. Besides, we do want to know how you are managing. You must be absolutely exhausted.

Best wishes!

[BruisersMom]

Thank you both for your replies. I do hope it is something that can be easily treated. I have an appointment with the vet on Wednesday afternoon. I will let you know what we find out.

Lucy, how old was your cocker spaniel when she was diagnosed?

[kian]

My ACD went through Alzheimer's around 14 years of age. He would get up and just wander around, very restless. At times he seemed to know where he was, other times not so much. It was worse at night. Ages vary with dogs, some will be older some younger. Keep us posted as to what the tests determine.

[LucyBee]

Buddy was about 12 when she started exhibiting signs of dementia,so your chi sounds a bit young for that,but as stated ages vary in different dogs.With her, the business of trying to hide behind and under pieces of furniture was every bit as telling as the night restlessness.Please let us know what happens,and I do hope you all get a good night's sleep very soon.

[virgilsmama]

I didn't read if there was a special bed, aside from yours for your babe. Maybe he needs his own space. Have you tried giving him your bed and you and your husband sleep elsewhere? I am serious but doing it with laughter. I have moved to the comfy chair to acommodate the nocturnal upsets of my pups, young and old. Wishing you the best with your problem, our babes are so important, you sound like you are on the right track in exploring all possibilities. Old age, for all of us, contains weird surprises

[BruisersMom]

He has his own bed. Sometimes he goes into his bed and sits up and whines, sometimes he just goes to a random place in the living room or hallway and whines.

He's still very active and playful. Even at 10 he hasn't slowed down a bit, physically. I looked up symptoms of dementia in dogs and the whining at night is the only one that he displays. I've seen wandering, pacing, and confusion as a common sympton and he certainly doesn't display any of those.

I'm feeling very anxious and worried as I wait for our appointment tomorrow.

[virgilsmama]

Again, I wish you the best tomorrow! One more thing does he have any big cushy stuffed animals to sleep with? They may give him some warm comfort or how about the heart beat stuffed animals?

Liz

[LucyBee]

Please let us know what the vet says.We're all pulling for a simple solution.

[kian]

Checking in for a update.

[BruisersMom]

Well, we went to the vet yesterday afternoon and, physically, he checked out perfectly. I gave the vet the whole back story and he didn't even try to guess what could be causing his incessant whining. He put Bruiser on a very low dose of anxiety medication (Xanax). I was very, very hesitant to accept that, because I really don't want to medicate him, but the vet assured me that it's very safe.

I had asked the vet if I should expect it to work on the first night and he said maybe, maybe not. He also said that the dose he prescribed is very low and we have room to play with, even with Bruiser's very small size (he's about 4.5 pounds) and that if this Xanax doesn't work, there are other meds we can try, and even homeopathic remedies.

The vet also did bloodwork to make sure that looks good and we will get the results in a few days. I expect it to be fine.

We gave the med to Bruiser last night, and sure enough, at 3:30 AM, he started carrying on again. Needless to say, I'm disappointed and frustrated. I have no idea what's going on. Adding to the frustration, on Tuesday night - for whatever reason - he was a perfect angel. We went to bed around 11PM, he woke up at 145AM, whined once, I firmly told him "No" and he went back to sleep and we didnt' get up again until 630AM. I have no idea what's going on!

I guess I'll give him a few more days on this med and if nothing changes, maybe I'll take him to a behavioral specialist. I'm out of ideas!

[LucyBee]

At least you got some positive results.I agree to give the medication a few more days and see how it goes.Best of luck and happy Thanksgiving.

[kian]

Do give the meds time to work, this is confusing. At least you did get some good results at the Vets, now it's the wait for the Bloodwork to come back.

If this is happening the same time each night, is it possible a neighbour is leaving for work and he is hearing it?

[LaurelG]

I had an older doxie that went both totally deaf and blind. He would whine sometimes at night from being disoriented. Xanax is a great drug if you can find the right dose. Do not give up on the drug so soon, work with the vet to find the correct dose. It works for the night disorientation also. It relaxes them enough to rest. Best of luck... lack of sleep can drive you crazy. Been there.