Dreams?

[hobbywobby]

Hi everyone. A question for you. Last night Hildie woke us up in the middle of the night with a really loud yelp. I got up to see what was wrong and she was just sitting on the floor with a look of terror in her eyes. I gave her some hugs and felt around to see if I got a response from patting her belly, rubbing her legs etc. and got nothing. She did go out to go potty but other than that she is acting really weird. She just lays on the floor and looks at you like "what's going on"? This morning she sat back in the back bedroom that NO ONE is ever in. Do you think she just had a bad dream and doesn't know that it was only a dream? Wondering if this is worth a trip to the vet or not. Background for those of you that don't know, she's a rescue that was severely malnourished (sp?) and abused. However I've had her for 4 years and she's grown out of being scared. Sorry for the long post! - Stacy

[Wetdog]

I agree, it sounds like a really bad dream that seemed awfully real to her. My feeling is, maybe she's wondering what IS real now. I know I've felt that way before too.

I hope she get over it soon, poor girl, she sure is a lucky Weimaraner to have you there to love her and take care of her. I cann't help but think what if she had an owner that thinks dogs are just stupid eating machines---there is a reason she ended up with you I think.

[syrinx]

Poor girl! Maybe it was a dream about her old life. I am sure that in no time it will be replaced with dreams of fat ducks and slow rabbits. She has a loving Mum now, and it was probably just a flashback for her. Is there a favourite place she has that you could take her? I am sure that she will relax soon, just as she did when you got her. Of course, if it becomes a pattern, then a vet trip would be on the cards. You can give dogs Valarian to calm them a little. It is a herb, and is useful for things such as fireworks and stuff. Might just settle her.
Wendy

[christina]

Stacey,

The expressions yelp and horror in eyes, then looking puzzled and acting weird, to my mind constitute more than just a bad dream - but I have never had a rescue, and possibly with a formerly mistreated dog it's a different ball game and it stands to reason that such dogs do have haunting nightmares.

What you are describing - if it wasn't a bad dream ..... in my experience a yelp from a dog (not talking about puppies) is usually caused by a sudden pain. I would watch Hildie very closely for any signs of change in her behaviour or daily routine. Hopefully she'll be back to normal in no time.

The reason I am advising caution, is because with my boy Thomas this was exactly how his illness (MMM) started - he suddenly yelped - without any reason whatsoever - I checked him over, and he looked horrified. Then everything seemed normal again. A few days later it happened again. Next thing - he lost interest in me throwing things for him (which was *very* unusual for him), and he started 'dropping' items (toys, food). It never registered with me that pain could have been the reason. Apart from him not wanting to "catch", I had no reason to believe anything was wrong.....

I am probably over-reacting, but just wanted to mention it. I am sure you will watch her closely anyway.

Christina

[hobbywobby]

Thanks for the replies and concern. I got home from work on Friday and she still just didn't seem herself. I let her up on my bed and she just layed there as if there was nothing to live for. It was the saddest thing I've seen. We decided to take her to the emergency vet that night just to make sure. They did blood tests and x-rays just to double check it wasn't anything serious internally. Luckily her kidneys and liver looked good and we think it's just a bad bladder infection. The vet put her on Clavamox (ms?) and she seems 100% better already. Any ideas on what causes bladder infections? I feel like she gets plenty of potty time outside everyday and fresh water so I don't know how to explain it. Hmmm...who knows, thanks again for the concern- Stacy

[marjolein]

No one knows Stacy. These things just occur. No worries, it'll be over before you even know it!! Healing thoughts on their way.

[Wetdog]

I'm happy to hear she's feeling better and going to be ok. My best wishes go out to you both.

[syrinx]

If you are interested in Natural Remedies, Cranberry helps with bladder stuff as it is meant to stop nasty stuff clinging to the walls of the bladder. People who get UTIs use it too. Can use tabs or the real stuff.
Wendy

[christina]

Hello Stacy,

Just a question - did your vet check her urine for bacteria? - or did anything in the blood test show up positive to suspect UTI ? I am always a bit suspicious when a vet can't find anything definite and the dog is put on antibiotics as a "cure all".
Anyway, when the course of antibiotics if finished, please make sure to give Hildie either a course of probiotics or loads of live yoghurt (every day) to replenish the good bacteria in the gut. The antibiotics will have killed off all bacteria- the good and the bad - and if the normal balance is not restored, the bad bacteria can (and all too often does) take over and might cause yeast problems in your dog.

Good luck - I hope Hildie goes on improving,
Christina

[moonbeam]

Hope Hilidie is feeling better now.

Mariy

[greyghost]

Hi Stacey, sorry to read about Hildie and her bad experience. Hope she is back to normal now.

[grausturm]

hi Stacie
I am glad you had hildie vet checked as I feel a bit like Christine that I would be concerned for other causes as well. It sounded to me like a sharp pain from the description of terror too and made me wonder about her heart. Good to hear that checked out fine. Less likely but also worth keeping an eye on is fitting, dogs that have occassional fits get confused and terror looks on their faces and will often act quite strange after wards. fingers crossed it was just a bad dream. We have all heard our dogs yelping in their sleep but fortunately for most I think the cry is more a whimper because they cant quite catch that phantom cat!!! or rabbit.