Night time

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

We are one week since Boris's surgery and all is relatively under control here at home during the daytime. Night time on the other hand is not quite so straightforward. Boris is on a strict six weeks of crate rest interspersed with very short walks (five minutes) in the first two weeks and ten minute walks during weeks 2-4. Other than that he is either on a bed in the kitchen or den, or in a super size crate in the lounge. He has got very attached to me. Riley is not inviting him to play at all which is really unusual as if he knows not to so we don't have to keep them apart. Back to night time. I put his normal crate in our bedroom but he really can't fit into it comfortably with his collar on and he  really is upset in it. So far I have been lifting him into it and he sleeps until about 3am. He doesn't bark when he wakes but pants heavily and as I am a light sleeper I can hear him. I take him out of the crate and discover that his paws are soaking  as he has been licking them. I lift him onto our bed and then I wrap a long scarf around his body and I tie it around me and he lies beside me until morning time. This is in case he decides to get off the bed which would be a catastrophe. So, I'm getting very little sleep but I can't think of another solution and tonight I don't even think I will put him in the crate at all...only five more weeks to go.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am sorry to hear night are so rough. Wish I had some solution.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It really does sound like things are going well with Boris's recovery, all things considered. How long does he need to use the collar? Maybe once that can come off, he'll sleep through the night in the crate? 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

He doesn't have the collar on when I am in the room with him, so it's not on much during the day at all LOL He is wearing his Christmas sweater instead. It's not even that the collar is the problem so much as the fact that when he wakes after a few hours he is distressed. Normally he climbs onto the bed at around 5am and I really think this is what is bothering him as that is his normal pattern. He has never been a great fan of the crate unlike Riley who loves his but  rather tolerates it if I send him to it.  The large one is great in the living room and if we didn't use that he would be climbing onto the couch which is also a no no for now. He is actually moving with ease and is on Rimadyl 50mg once per day, the pain killers were stopped a couple of days ago. I'm not really complaining if it means five weeks of broken sleep so be it.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

When it looked like JD might have to have back surgery, I was planning to get a small mattress to put on the floor in the family room so that I could sleep near him without his having to try to get on or off a bed, or walk much. Of course for that surgery, the dog can't even stand up or walk on his own at all for the first week or two, so I also wanted to have him near the back door for ease of getting him outside. I know that's not the case with Boris, thank goodness, but is that a possibility for you at all? 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Great idea. My neighbors got Baby Crib Mattresses for their large dogs.  Works great. This might stop Boris's panic attacks.

I have severe claustrophobia and my heart skipped a beat just now when I thought of Boris having a panic attack in a small crate.

Anyway, Nicky, sometimes at night, all of us with aches and pains wake up stiff and have to turn. Maybe he is in just one position at night for too long.  This wakes him up and starts that panic cycle.  I think this might be normal.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I thought of a mattress on the floor for Nicky too. But I think, to be on the safe side, she should still tether Boris to her just in case if she does this. Heaven forbid Nicky doesn't hear him and he decides to jump up on something.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Sounds like you are doing the right thing. Spud has always had what we call, Pant Attacks, during the night.  Usually followed by a long drink of water.  We actually have a bowl of water in our room because of this. It seems to coincide  with my nighttime hot flashes   :)   Truth. 

Could it be that you are just now recognizing this since the surgery?  You are now paying more attention?  

Nicky, if the scarf trick is working and everyone is getting rest, I say good for you.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I thought he needed water but he wouldn't drink when it happened the first time. I'm pretty sure it's panic. Were in bed now. He's right in the middle with his head on the pillow beside me with my long cashmere scarf wrapped around both of us.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Night Nicky and Boris,

Sweep Dreams

[F, Calla & Luca]

Amen.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Nicky, I love the ideal of the scarf so he can't decide to jump off the bed.  I would say though that the longer you can keep him in the crate the better in terms of you getting some sleep.  You know he is totally safe there.  He's probably licking those paws due to stress...have you tried socks?  He may not keep them on but it's worth a try.  You both will make it through this...I feel so sorry that you have to go through this.

[Penny, Comiskey & Beemer]

I have missed what surgery Boris had, but when our Beemer had both hips done, we put a queen size mattress on the floor surrounded by an x-pen.  My husband slept on the mattress with Beemer for three months.  Beemer never had a collar never had an accident and only was allowed out of the pen to go potty.  As a side note, we originally attached the crate to the x-pen, Beemer never set foot in the crate.  The pen was excellent because our other doodle, Comiskey was able to be with him when she wanted to. HTH