Miko's Health (updates and more)

I didn't read the entire thread as my phone is being really slow at loading pages so you may have addressed this already

Do you think he's stressed by being confined or being away from you? Not sure how much space you have but could you expen or crate him next to your bed? When he gets upset you'd be right there to talk to him or pet him and maybe he'd settle down and go back to sleep? You could put a tarp or something under the expen covered with pee pads just in case to protect your flooring.

I wonder if its partially a senility issue and he is more lucid during the day when he's holding it. Maybe he is disoriented at night when it's dark causing him to stress? If he's sleeping in another part of the house can you leave a light on for him? Not sure how it translates between people and dogs but my grandmother had dementia and would be much more distressed if she woke in the middle of the night. It wasn't until she could see and get her bearings that she would calm down.
 
One of the Senior Sheltie rescues has bought padded tiles that piece together like a puzzle (normally used in children's playrooms) to help the dogs who have issues with stability and slipping. She says they have really helped the dogs. Also you may want to look into the washable pee pads, they are sold in various sizes. I got mine at www.dogs.com I have also seen them at Walmart. When I got Hartley I bought 4' by 4' to use under his pen just incase he had an accident or water spill.

Praying Miko is doing better today and for you too.
 
Another thought - if you know anyone who had an invalid at home and has lifter pads (the waterproof pads used on beds to pull an invalid up in the bed), these could be used. They are washable. I have them on Dad's bed under a blanket just in case Natalie goes in there.
 
I'm praying for Miko and you... Could he be in pain, Louie wasn't able to lay down when he was hurting.
 
I called the vet, discussed it a bit and since he's basically back to normal, she felt his limping was from struggling to get up (think tired muscles) and he probably couldn't stand up right away either from the same thing.

Last night I put on some rubber booties so he wouldn't slip.
Tonight I moved the mat near his bowl so he wouldn't slip.

Poor thing. He's losing all his muscle mass in he hind legs and I can see that all his weight is on his front legs. Not sure what will happen with that, but it worries me. Guess it's time to start rebuilding some muscle if I can.

She told me to bring him in if he's falling over more, dizzy, off, etc. But since he seemed fine, I just let it be.
 
I didn't read the entire thread as my phone is being really slow at loading pages so you may have addressed this already

Do you think he's stressed by being confined or being away from you? Not sure how much space you have but could you expen or crate him next to your bed? When he gets upset you'd be right there to talk to him or pet him and maybe he'd settle down and go back to sleep? You could put a tarp or something under the expen covered with pee pads just in case to protect your flooring.

I wonder if its partially a senility issue and he is more lucid during the day when he's holding it. Maybe he is disoriented at night when it's dark causing him to stress? If he's sleeping in another part of the house can you leave a light on for him? Not sure how it translates between people and dogs but my grandmother had dementia and would be much more distressed if she woke in the middle of the night. It wasn't until she could see and get her bearings that she would calm down.

Thanks for the night light suggestion. I think I will do that and see how it goes, mostly because I can hear him knocking into things at night. I hate light, so I'm going to have to find a light that isn't super bright/intrusive, but that helps light up the area for him. Ooo...I think I know where/what to use.

As for not settling down, I have no clue. I think he just doesn't like to be penned. He's never really been confined so I'm sure he's not used to it (unlike Koji who grew up in his crate). Some things to try.

He's been peeing/pooping at 4-5am everyday....even though I take him out at 1-2am. Ugh!

And I got him those diaper things and dangit, too small! Gotta return/exchange them. Bleah.
 
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