28/07/2024
✨Does your dog get enough sleep?
Did you know that sleep deprivation and poor quality sleep can escalate your dog’s pain?
💤 Heightened Pain Sensitivity
Researchers have found that lack of sleep causes low levels of a neurotransmitter called N-arachidonoyl dopamine (NADA) within an area of the brain called the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), resulting in heightened pain sensitivity, medically known as hyperalgesia.
💤 Lowering Dopamine Levels
During sleep deprivation part of the brain which is responsible for dopamine production becomes suppressed lowering the levels. Low dopamine levels in your dog can make them less motivated, is linked to depression, and It is associated with escalating the responses of pain.
💤 Increase Joint Inflammation/Accelerate Joint Damage
Not only can joint pain cause sleep loss, but sleep deprivation makes joint pain worse, and can even accelerate joint damage. Allowing your dog to get a deep restful sleep is crucial for helping to reduce inflammation; it lowers the levels of inflammatory proteins in the blood that have been implicated in OA pathogenesis.
💤 Lowers Your Dogs Immunity
Sleep deprivation means your dog’s immune system doesn’t have the chance to repair. Low immunity reduces the protective cytokines and infection-fighting antibodies which are important proteins and essential for fending off pathogens that can lead to disease.
✨How you can help your dog to get sufficient quality sleep?
Adequate and quality sleep is crucial for dogs' physical health and cognitive function. Part of this comes down to creating a comfortable sleeping environment that will help your dog to sleep well.
To help ensure your dog sleeps well, you can:-
💤 Provide a cosy bed or crate that is suitable for their size and breed, and ensure this is away from noise and other distractions.
💤 Consider an orthopedic bed that gives them the right amount of comfort and support. A true orthopedic dog bed must be able to conform to the dog’s body, distributing their weight evenly across the surface. This eliminates pressure points on the joints, helping to relieve the pain
✨How much sleep does my dog need?
💤Dogs require a significant amount of sleep, even more than we do. However, the total amount of sleep a dog needs can vary depending on a range of factors. Puppies need around 11 hours a day and adult dogs between 8.5-13 hours, senior dogs may need more.
So if you think your dogs is in pain and suffering from painful conditions such as osteoarthritis, consider if your dog getting adequate and good quality sleep. Let sleeping dogs, sleep!
For more info please read the fantastic webinar from Lauren Davis The Sleep Vet
https://nupsala-learning.co.uk/sleep-and-osteoarthritis-webinar/
