My deaf/blind dog whines constantly and doesn't sleep at night.?

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Last year I adopted a blind and deaf elderly dachshund that was found wandering in the streets of Las Vegas. He's estimated to be around 13 years old. I've had him now for about 8 months. He cries LOUDLY if he thinks he's alone in the room (which I attribute to separation anxiety because he can't see or hear), but more of a concern is that over the past 7 weeks, he's not sleeping through the night anymore. He sleeps in bed with me and my husband because he will literally cry all night long if he's in his kennel. We have tried to console him, give him snacks thinking maybe he's hungry, drinks of water incase he's thirsty, taking him outside because maybe he's got to go to the bathroom. Pretty much everything you'd try with a baby, we've tried with this dog. Since he can't hear or see, we don't really have any other way to communicate with him other than smell or touch, but those don't seem to work. We only get about 2 hours of sleep a night now. Any advice is welcome!!
He is in great health otherwise. Bad breath, :) but bloodwork, heart & lungs all look good!! We love him. We understand it may be time, but we'd like to keep him comfortable a little while longer. He's a big cuddly guy and we feel blessed that we were fortunate enough to be able to give him this "second chance" at life.
 
ohh i want to thank you so much for what you have done for that dog!

but really i don't know my friends had a def/blind/half peralized dog and they had to put him tosleep but maybe he thinks he is lonley take him to the vet deffinetly maybe he is trying to tell you he is in pain and i hate for him to be put down put if he does he will at least have had a good owner for a little longer
 
Ask your vet about a medication for anxiety, or a medication for age-related anxiety. Some dogs experience the same anxiety at an old age even if they are not blind or deaf; it's similar to dementia. Medication might help.

You can also try one of these, it's for puppies but might be comforting to him:( unfortunately it only stays on for a half-hour--maybe you can find others that stay on longer) He might still be able to sense the heartbeat if he snuggles up against the toy. There are dog beds also that have a heartbeat mechanism.

http://www.timsdiscountpet.com/servlet/the-1107/Doggles-Comfort-Pals-9%22/Detail

Good luck ( and good of you to take this dog in!!)
 
BLESS YOUR HEART!!
you should probably give a call to your vet and see what they say. if they can't prescribe something and there's only one way for the pup to have peace, know that you made him feel loved for the last year.
 
this sounds like one of those things that is going to take time. You are going to have to constantly reassure him and love him.

How's his health otherwise? 13 is elderly for a dog, does he have other issues that need to be checked out?

If there is nothing else that can be done, then it sounds like he isn't enjoying the quality of life that he has and it may be time to talk to your vet about final options.

Bless you and I'm sorry.
 
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