Shih Tzu waking in the middle of the night

    • Gold Top Dog

    Shih Tzu waking in the middle of the night

    First off, let me aplogize for the long post but I need to give you all the facts.  About a month ago my 9 year old shih tzu woke us up in the middle of the night to go outside.  This alarmed me because she never gets up in the middle of the night.....ever!  Anyway she continued to wake us up every couple of hours.  I knew she must have a bladder infection.  We took her to the vets the next day and they did a urinalysis using an ultra sound.  There were no signs of stones, but indeed she has a bladder infection.  The vet put her on 125 mg of Clavamox twice a day.  She did well for a few days until once again she woke us up in the middle of the night.  I figured that perhaps the Clavamox was not doing the trick and took her back to the vets.  They did an x-ray to make sure there were no stones stuck anywhere.  They did another urinalysis and prescribed her with 25 mg of Zeniquin once a day.  At this time I also had blood work done to rule out any bladder or kidney problems. 

    The test results all came back good.  The vet said her bloodwork was great.  I kept her on the Zeniquin for about another 10 days to make sure the infection was completly gone. 

    The problem is this:  About once or twice a week she wakes up in the middle of the night.  It is usually between 2:30 am and 3:00 am.  She walks over to the door like she wants to go outside.  At first I would take her outside and she would slowly sniff around and eventually go pee.  Not in any big hurry, no realization that it was the middle of the night! Sleep  After a few times of that happening she would jump off the bed, and I would go to her and say "come back to bed" and she would either turn around and follow me back to bed or I would pick her up and bring her to bed.  She showed no signs that she had to go pee, but she was shaking as though we were getting a storm and she was scarred.  She does not pant or show any signs of distress.  I know she doesnt have to potty becuase in the morning when I take her out, she takes her good old time, sniffs and eventually pees.  Last night she woke at 2:30, I went to see where she was and found her looking out our back door.  I said come back to bed and picked her up.  She came to bed, shaking slightly, curled up next to me and went back to sleep.  It lasted less than a minute. 

    During the day she gets walked by her grandpa for at least an hour, but she also has piddle pads that she can use if need be.  She does not use them.  She is not peeing any more than she normally would when I am home. 

    She was always such a sound sleeper and never woke during the night until recently.  Do you think something is distruping her sleep?  I lay awake and listen, but dont hear a thing.  Should I just let her be and let her sleep where she wants, not bringing her back to bed?  I told her that shock therapy was going to be our next route!    Big Smile 

    Anyone out there ever experience such a thing?  Perhaps this is just Shih Tzu stubborness????  Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!

    • Gold Top Dog

    It's likely aging -- this is where TCVM is so awesome - there are oriental herbs that are marvelous for stopping the "old timer wanderings". 

    TCVM -- the Chi Institute

    If you want more information give me a shout -- absolutely incredible

    • Gold Top Dog

     I am glad to had her to the vet to check for a UTI.  That would be a good first step and in this case you caught an infection!

     Does she have a treat at bed time?  If not, give her one.  These small dogs, especially as they age, can have a low blood sugar reaction, which among other things makes them feel like they have to "go," even if they don't have anything to pee out.  Just a small something.  I use Plato Farmer's Market treats for this purpose (not the strips, though I suppose you could use them too).  These are made in USA, NOT CHINA.  Of course you can use any treats you normally have, just be sure she has a snack at bedtime.

     Here is a link, for infomation on the product: http://www.doggiefood.com/plato-farmers-market-salmon-vegetable-dog-treats.html

    I MUST do this for my Lacey, or she gets me up, has the shakes, and so forth.  The other dogs here don't seem to have the same issue; and Lacey only started this about a year back.  So something to do with aging, I suspect.  Give it a try!

    • Gold Top Dog

    Callie, So if they are listed on this site, the vet can be trusted???  I have no experience with holistic methods.  There is one located about 20 miles from home.  My husband and I have tried extra walks and more activity to get her very tired, which seems to help.  I think another dog would help too!  Big Smile  I cant get why she's shaking when I first pick her up.  I thought maybe she was having a bad dream?  She did not wake us up last night, (thank God), I was kinda hoping she would grow out of it. 

    I havent made a big deal when she does this, because I dont want her to make it a habit. 

    Thanks for the help!

    • Gold Top Dog

    Freedom,

    Yes I do give her some treats at night.  Usually she gets a greenie after her last potty time outside.  Then I also give her Chicken Jerky which I make myself.  I am going to try to remember how early I give her the treats and if she does it on certain nights.  (I'm thinking doggy journal).  Thanks for the advice!!!! 

    • Gold Top Dog

    mish1000
    , So if they are listed on this site, the vet can be trusted??? 

    If they are on that website it means they got their specialty degree in TCVM from the Institute.  If you want to email me, I'll explain further.  There are certain things you look for to find the right one and it's probably NOT the closest one. 

    They can't even take classes from the Institute unless they are a bona fide veterinarian -- this isn't shady stuff at all.   Dr. Xie and many of the vets at the Institure also teach at the University of Florida Vet School.  UF offers Chinese herbology and acupuncture as part of their veterinary degree.