I bought a cute 10-week-old boxer puppy a week ago and she looks and acts perfectly healthy until she goes to sleep. Often when she's sleeping she starts to twitch, which doesn't concern me at first, but as she sleeps her twitching gets more violent until her whole body and every facial muscle is spasming. Yesterday she was convulsing so hard that I got scared and picked her up and called her name, but she wouldn't respond to me - her tongue was hanging out and her eyes were rolled back in her head. I gently shook her and shouted her name, but it took about 5 tries before she snapped out of it. When she's awake she acts totally normal...very playful and puppy-like. Should I take her to the vet, or is this just deep dreaming? Serious answers only, please. Thanks.
2007-04-06 01:45:38 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
You should take her to the vet.
2007-04-06 01:49:11 · answer #1 · answered by sarah 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's possible that your puppy might be having a dream, my full-grown dog twitches just Little bit in her sleep every now and then. But this sounds very serious. Especially the part where her eyes rolled back in her head and her tongue was hanging out. I would definitely take her to see a vet, though he might not be able to find anything because when you take her she probably won't be asleep, so he can't see how she reacts. So, I highly suggest either calling the vet and explain what you did in your question to him, or take your puppy to the vet and explain to him what she does when she's asleep.
Best wishes for you & your new puppy!!
Katrina
2007-04-06 01:52:48 · answer #2 · answered by Katrina 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is true that dogs dream, some of them quite deeply, but this sounds like something much more serious. The problem with pet shop puppies is that they are often the product of overbreeding and often times suffer from genetic defects such as collapsed tracheas, heart mummers, and seizures. They are also often times dropped from heights as much as 5 feet off the ground... i know, i have seen this happen numerous times.
Your red flag signs here are the eyes rolling to the back of the head, the tongue hanging out (which can also obstruct her breathing), and the convulsing so deeply that it takes that much effort to arouse her... you MUST take this dog to the vet for an examination.
Either your vet or a specialty vet dealing in neurological problems will be able to to help you pinpoint the problem and may be able to prescribe a medication to control the seizuring, and to give you advice on how to handle the situation the next time it occurs.
I know this is an unexpected (and unwelcomed) expense , but it is for the safety of your puppy. Please have your pup examined, I would feel terrible if the next time you were unable to arouse her.
-RVT
(Registered Veterinary Technician)
2007-04-06 02:15:27 · answer #3 · answered by vet tech 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had a brown Lab that did something of that nature as well. She would be in her cage at night and be in there making a bunch of "puppy noises" while asleep. It took a while to get her to wake up while calling her name. My Fiance' was scared after a while and took her to the vet. The vet told her that a puppy's mind is like a small child's. When they run and play all day, it causes more more parts of the brain to have to "refresh" itself while resting. Your puppy is still really young so it could still be going through alot of brain development still. I don't think you have anything to worry about. Not unless you've been feeding her any of the dog food that's been recalled. If you haven't then I think shes a normal puppy.
2007-04-06 02:01:26 · answer #4 · answered by DeAnthony T 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like she's dreaming. My golden retriever does something similar, she's 4 now, been doing since we brought her home. I think she is chasing something in her dream, her legs are twitching and she makes this muffled barking sound. Scared me at first too, but now we just laugh about it. Pretty funny sight, dog laying flat on her back, legs up in the air, twitching and making this muffled sound, her head tipped all the way back so her mussel is flat against the bed.
Next time you take the pup to the vet ask about it. You could call the vet, to avoid paying for an office visit.
2007-04-06 01:56:31 · answer #5 · answered by I Like Stories 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take her to the vet, how does she act before going to sleep, does she become slightly unco-ordinated or seem excessively drowsy. A reaction that extreme to a dream doesnt seem right to me. My dog whuffles and runs in her sleep but if i shake her gently her head snaps up even if she does look very sleepy. Have her checked for your own peace of mind if nothing else.
2007-04-06 01:55:47 · answer #6 · answered by Big red 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be nightmares or just very vivid dreams. The worst case scenario is seizures, but I've never heard of those happening only when the dog is asleep (but, I'm not a vet). You should call your vet and ask. If it is a seizure disorder, it can be very serious and is likely a result of bad breeding.
2007-04-06 01:54:55 · answer #7 · answered by Carl R 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think there is anything wrong? I have had puppies & kittens do that & also was worried & did the same as you with the same response from the animals!.
Mine did it less with age. 1 dog did however do this until the day he died with no ill effects!?. Just doesnt look good I know! :) But I think its just deep sleep dreaming?.
2007-04-06 01:53:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You may want to take puppy to vet . It could be deep sleep ,but 5minutes is a long time. Have the vet check for siezures.
2007-04-06 01:55:43 · answer #9 · answered by maraphillips@ymail.com 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like your little doll baby is dreaming. Very normal for boxer pups.
SRD
Owner of 4 boxers
2007-04-06 15:46:29 · answer #10 · answered by brsm007 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She may be having "puppy mares".
Dogs can have nightmares just like we do as youngsters.
Dogs often move in their sleep to match their dreams.
2007-04-06 01:48:22 · answer #11 · answered by Nedra E 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋