Hi,

I've often been accused of being a nervous nellie over Murphy has always been one for "chasing rabbits" in his sleep thing but lately for the past couple months, they've been really quite animated. Very jerky and somewhat violent and it seems that it happens like 2 seconds after I've seen him with his eyes open. Just now, he was doing it again, really bad. I looked at him, he was on the floor, his eyes were open so I called his name. He didn't look over to me, but started wheezing. Finally, I said his name again and he looked over at me. He put his head back down, closed his eyes and he was doing it again. Then within 20 seconds, he got up really really quickly with his ears pricked up alert which is very unusual. Is that behavior more than "chasing rabbits?" Should I be worried?

Is he overtired when he does this?
I wonder if melatonin would help him relax to sleep soundly?
My son's friend has had a lifelong problem with his REM sleep, and his cornea's get scratched because of it. Wonder if REM affects dog's as it does humans...interesting.

I'd err on the side of caution and keep communication verbal only (and from a distance) when Murph seems partially awake, unless off course you got a bite suit on!

I would find it hard to believe he's overtired so often.
He doens't and can't take melatonin because it would interract with a different medication he's currently taking.

I do know, or have read that it takes humans a while to reach REM sleep. It must take a bit for dogs too. I'll have to research it more.

I did used to rent a room at some friends' house who had 2 young boys that would bang their heads against the wall in the middle of the night. I thought it was a sign of some sort of autism but they grew up to be just fine.

I wonder if it is related to his meds... It is so hard with some psychopharms because we can't ask them how it is affecting them aside from the physical changes we see. If he was prone to having dreams before, maybe they are just increasing in amount and intensity?? Just all speculation. I would run it by your vet though - can't hurt

I have not idea or advice but can offer that Max has those too but only when he sleeps on the bed. I don't like when he's got his eye open and doing it. I sometimes wonder if it is a seizure but it doesn't happen often enough for me to worry though.

I agree with Mel - maybe the meds cause him to have vivid dreams or something else?? I know some cold medicine causes me to have some crazy dreams sometimes where I twitch and flail around. Hopefully that's all it is, but if you're really concerned you could always get him in to the vet. Good luck - and hugs!

if my dog did what your dog is doing i would
start a journal. i would keep track of what i was feeding, exercise,
track the meds, time of the movement (rabbit chasing), how often is
the movement, etc. keep track of any information you can
come up with. i wonder if anything you're feeding changed (the
ingredients).

i know the journal isn't a cure but the information
might help answer some questions especially when you're
speaking with the Vet.

I do keep a journal and I can include this too. Good idea. Wish I'd started to include it when it began.
I was thinking more along the lines of a video but the beep it makes might wake him up.
Then he'd get all mad at me if his hair was messed up or he had made a funny face...

Oh Murphy!

I've spoken to Murphy's vet about this and some other behaviors he's been displaying...

He's suggested that since Murphy's already been examined by an ortho, that perhaps we should book an appointment for a neurologist. Just to be sure.
He said I should call and set up a consult over the phone just to see if the neurologist seems to think any of this warrants a real neurological exam.

Has anybody else ever had any neuro tests for their dog? I hate to ask this, but were they like "out of this world" expensive? I've got a special savings account put aside for medical purposes for him, but I was just wondering if it would break that bank?

I don't know how expensive they are. But hoping you get some answers soon.

Our Lab has been having nightmares, too. It's puzzling because nothing in her world or diet has changed recently. We have a new puppy in the family, but he has been around for a few months now. It doesn't seem like she would wait 2 months, and then this week start having nightmares over that.

Nicole, you should PM Charlotte (DinoBlue). She has had to take D to the neurologist so she might have some good info for you.