![]() Those dogs who are obese, inactive, or have underlying issues with their immune system are more likely to develop narcolepsy compared to healthy dogs. There are several factors that seem to predispose a dog to narcolepsy. Occasionally, an underlying brain disease is found, but this is quite rare. However, the dog may still be aware of its surroundings and “wake up” to an auditory or physical stimulation.īecause narcolepsy disrupts a dog’s sleep-wake cycle, it will cause them to be more tired and lethargic, although most dogs will recover from their narcoleptic episodes with no ongoing medical issues. ![]() When a dog has a narcoleptic episode, they can have REM movements as if they are in a deep sleep, and their muscles will become slack. Narcolepsy in dogs is thought to have a genetic origin and seems to be related to a dog’s rapid closed eye movements, or REM. It is not a fatal disease but should still be aware of to make sure your dog isn’t in a dangerous situation. There is no specific trigger for narcolepsy, and an episode can strike when your dog is playing, excited, or even eating. The dog will typically wake up abruptly and carry on like nothing happened.Ī narcoleptic episode will last as little as a few seconds or up to several minutes. This often occurs when the dog is being physically active, which can be quite alarming the first time you see it happen. When a dog with narcolepsy has an episode, he will suddenly collapse and stop moving, meaning he literally falls asleep. Narcolepsy primarily affects younger dogs and is linked to another neurological condition called cataplexy, which causes temporary muscle paralysis and a loss of reflexes. Just like in humans, narcolepsy is a disorder of the nervous system, and more specifically, those mechanisms that control sleep. ![]() This post will dig into canine narcolepsy and give you a full breakdown on what narcolepsy is, why it happens, symptoms to watch out for, and what you can do as the owner of a narcoleptic dog. And while the better news is that narcolepsy is rarely seen in dogs and present little danger even when it is, it’s important to get to the source of the problem, as narcolepsy can sometimes be a best-case scenario, versus conditions that have similar symptoms like canine heart disease, diabetes, and epilepsy. It can be very scary for an owner when their dog suddenly falls asleep, then wakes abruptly or seems to be rather lethargic for the rest of the day. However, if your dog drops suddenly and is out like a light, it might point to narcolepsy, a relatively rare condition, but one that is seen in some dogs. And no, sorry, it’s not you and it’s not food either - it’s sleep!ĭogs are famous for their naps, which often seem to occur just minutes after running around and playing. By now you’re probably well aware of your dog’s greatest love.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |