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How to calm my restless dog who's panting and can't sleep at night?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | spayed | 12 years and 7 months old

Dog panting heavily. Walking around aimlessly. Leaning against walls/getting into tight spaces. Whining occasionally (we think to lift her up; she has arthritis). Eating fine. We're up all night, tending to her whining and lifting her. Symptoms mostly at night. The panting and walking started overnight. She can't sleep; she only sleeps for like a 30 minutes at a time. Emergency vet said maybe head pain, possibly tumor. How do we sedate/calm her until we go to neurologist? Benadryl didnt't work

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Sarah Derksen, DVM

Answered By Sarah Derksen, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 10th, 2017

If you didn't take her in, I would do so immediately. It does sound like something that shouldn't wait. Sometimes ER clinics are linked to specialists and can get the ER pets in with them sooner. In older animals with neurological signs, yes tumors become higher on the list of possibilities
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