Can dogs sleep walk?

[DayshaG]

My friends Cairn terrier Penny who is 16 was standing last night and staring at the wall and urinated on the floor but was not responsive to her name being called. Penny has had incontinence already but it was an unusual behavior to stand staring at the wall. My friend didn't know if she was sleep walking or having a seizure. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[GinnyW]

I can well imagine this is the case Somewhere in between, or some of both. Might be worth looking at what she had eaten, when she last relieved herself, or any other changes or variables. For both myself and my dog, I would hope that this is met with great tolerance and forbearance

 

[DayshaG]

I can well imagine this is the case Somewhere in between, or some of both. Might be worth looking at what she had eaten, when she last relieved herself, or any other changes or variables. For both myself and my dog, I would hope that this is met with great tolerance and forbearance

@GinnyW Thank you for sharing, yes...my friend is like-minded with us. She is a great nurse and pet parent.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

it was an unusual behavior to stand staring at the wall.

Great, and very deep, question Daysha.

What you are describing is actually fairly common in older dogs.

Has Penny had liver, neuro or other dis-ease ruled out?

Regardless, my experience is that those physiologic abnormalities are often not the proximate "cause."

Especially in old (temporally) pets.

As Ginny just implied, this staring behavior (walls, out into space, or just looking blankly) is often a sign of being between either dis-eases (like brain or liver) and also being between this world and the next.

Animal communicators (they all say the same thing) feel certain that animals that are beginning their journey to the next world often exhbit this two world behavior.

IMHO, if BEAM is fine otherwise then no action (other than loving support and nurturing happiness) is needed.

Unless your friend would feel better having the data...