Do dogs have nightmares?
She's never done this before. Is this something that others have had experience with? |
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| I don't want to freak you out, but she might have actually had a seizure. My father's dog used to have them, some mild, some very bad. The mild ones were like you described, where she would whimper, and then come out of them feeling really out of it, wandering around.
I've never had experience with a dog having a nightmare, though we all know that they dream very vividly. Maybe Daisy had something more along the lines of a night terror, where she looked like she was wide awake, but she was really more in a dream state. You might want ot have a chat with your vet, especially if you are seeing any other changes in her behavior. Laurie and Oscar |
Oscar's Mom wrote: I've never had experience with a dog having a nightmare, though we all know that they dream very vividly. Maybe Daisy had something more along the lines of a night terror, where she looked like she was wide awake, but she was really more in a dream state.
You might want ot have a chat with your vet, especially if you are seeing any other changes in her behavior. A few months ago, some of you may have remembered that I posted about a friend whose home was invaded. The intruders kicked and wound up hurting our friend's Min Pin. He recovered from his physical injuries with no problem but, ever since, he's had night terrors and nightmares, too. He'll wake up barking and freaking out like someone's in the house again and it's almost impossible for him to calm down until it's run its course. Because of his age, our friend is reluctant to put him on any medication but it sounds very similar to what you were describing. Definitely ask your vet what he or she thinks next time you're in or maybe make an appointment sooner if it happens again. |
| I wonder if there was a storm of some sort in your area. Animals can feel a storm from miles away...I think it has something to do with the barometric pressure in the air and static or electricity in the air...
I was wondering lately if dogs can be afraid of the dark? Mine seems skittish when I take him out at night...like he's afraid of the shadows. Hopefully she is better now...poor baby  |
| Young dogs are often afraid of the dog, later fear can be traced to an eye problem. My guys have always been more aggressive at night, perhaps sensing I can't see diddle so are trying to protect me or showing Bravdo.
Simone has always had vivid dreams.......I trace them back to her first home.....it must have been terrible. The thoughts of a seizure was very interesting. Sounds quite plausible, especially the wandering around afterward. Something to watch! |
| I hate to scare you with this, but I would second the seizure theory. Our sheltie acted the same way...he was crying and very clingy afterwards. Unfortunately, I don't think there is any way of knowing unless they are in the middle of one if that is what it is. When Dusty was having his, I noticed his eyes darting side to side...lasted about 20 minutes. Scary for all of us, but he was fine afterward. When we got him at age 9, we were told he had seizures before, but this was the first we had seen in the two years since we adopted him. |
| Ok that's two of you that think it might have been a seizure maybe. This isn't something I have any experience of and she certainly has seemed fine since then. What would you recommend? Is this something I should take her to the vets for now or should I just wait to see how she is over the next few days? Is there anything I can do for her to prevent it happening again? (bearing in mind we were both asleep last time and no - I don't think there were any storms around)
Thanks for your help. |
| Karen, I'd take her to the vets, I understand lately why you might not want to, but it might be best xx
Jack may of had a nightmare on Sunday afternoon, he was asleep, but was really curled up against me, almost sat up, then he started twitching and I giggled to myself and thought ahh little baba dreaming, then all of a sudden he jumped up and growled at me, then realised it was me and licked me, as if to say sorry and went back to sleep. |
| Zak was a rescue who was severely abused as a puppy. Starved, burned and covered in mange all at 4 months old. When I rescued him, it took a lot to get him back to normal, but in spite of everything he had been through he was and is..a loving and friendly dog. The only thing that has remained over the years is that he has nightmares.
Ever since he was a little puppy he has had episodes where he cries, Barks, howls and moans while shaking violently in his sleep. It can be quite dramatic and scary, but always after he wakes up and calms down...his is fine. He is 11 years old now and almost never has these attacks, but on occasion is still can happen. Nobody can tell me these are not nightmares. They are clearly bad dreams, and his age and health tells me they are not health related. So I say YES, dogs can have nightmares. HAHA I had to post a picture..I love this boy.  |
| If Daisy awoke to some kind of unexpected pain, it might also explain her fear or confusion... maybe wondering who hurt her.
If you find it was a seizure, below is a link to a great website with lots of information on canine epilepsy. http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-ang ... te_map.htm By the way Cinemarco, your Zak is a cutie-pie!  |
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