The Narcoleptic Dog

Anyone who feels tired will definitely feel like taking a nap. But, when some people feel tired, they can't control a sudden urge to fall asleep. Their body will shut down immediately as they lose consciousness and are unable to move any part of their body. This is called flaccid paralysis and will last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.

In some cases, a person's knees will suddenly buckle and the neck muscles become loose. It's possible they could suddenly collapse to the floor and fall asleep. This sudden, uncontrollable urge to sleep is called Narcolepsy. It's the only known neurological disorder that affects the brain and sleep in such a striking way. Narcolepsy has been found to not only affect humans, but also dogs.

Most people will say one of the luxuries of being a dog is being able to sleep all day. However, narcoleptic dogs are unable to stay awake long enough to enjoy activities such as playing, eating, or going for a walk.

Some dogs may only experience one or two attacks a day, whereas others will suffer from hundreds. It seems to happen more often when they are excited. Dogs with narcolepsy will probably be fine when they're calmly sitting around or when their owners are petting them, but may find it hard to stand and stay awake when the owner is giving them attention. They may be able to stay awake long enough to enjoy a short walk around the block so long as nothing distracts them, but may not be able to play fetch without suffering from several attacks. Even getting excited about food can cause them to fall asleep while eating.

Usually, they're unconscious for just a few short seconds. They'll fall down, get up a second later and start chasing the ball again as if it never happened. But, sometimes it can last for several minutes. While narcoleptic dogs are on the floor seemingly unconscious, they can usually see their surroundings, but are unable to move. Luckily, it's not painful. But, it affects their lives by making them unable to enjoy all the things dogs love about their puppy lives.

Narcolepsy in dogs can be somewhat controlled and treated. Treatment is tailored to the severity of the case. It's actually common to give a dog the same drugs as humans for treating and controlling the attacks. They are usually prescribed antidepressants. The two most common medications aremethylphenidate (Ritalin) and protriptyline (Tofranil).