Sleeplessness

[Betty B]

I have a wonderful 14 yr old havanese that has been diagnosed with Cushings for quite a while but in last six months she gets very restless at night and doesn't really sleep at night. The last thing our vet suggested was 3 mg melatonin. Doesn't seem to make a difference. She is about 14 pounds. Any suggestions?

[judymaggie]

Welcome to you and your pup! I'll get you started with some questions and others will be along -- probably with more questions! :D I understand that your dog was diagnosed with Cushing's. Is she currently getting any treatment?

Could you get copies of all recent tests that were done on your dog and post those results here? With respect to the blood chemistry and CBC, you need only post the highs and lows and please include the normal reference ranges. Were any diagnostic tests (ACTH, LDDS, ultrasound, etc.) performed on your dog, and if so, could you post those results too?

All of this information will help us to answer your questions and help guide you. There could be several different reasons for night time restlessness. The first thing that comes to mind is that it is possible her cortisol level is higher in the evening. If she is on medication (either Vetory/trilostane or Lysodren/mitotane), dosing twice a day rather than once a day can help with this but we really need some more info from you before we get to that discussion.

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and your girl!

Judy has gotten you off to really good start and when some of those questions are answered we will do our best to help you help your sweet girl.

The melatonin, hopefully the vet mentioned that it has to be the plain kind, not the rapid or extended release type. My Harley took melatonin, man it worked wonders for him, he was terrified of thunderstorms but that melatonin worked like a charm and soon those thunderstorms no longer bothered him, his dose was 3 mg twice a day. Is she getting the melatonin twice a day?

Hugs, Lori