This Sweet Dog Wore a Muzzle To Bed Every Night for Several Months — The Reason Will Break You
For most dogs out there, nighttime is when everything around them feels safe and peaceful, and they get to sleep soundly until morning. But for Rue — a Foxhound/Beagle Mix — this wasn’t the case. Rue’s world would fall apart every single night, and unlike other dogs, nighttime was anything but peaceful for her. (Watch Video Below)
As revealed in a heartbreaking TikTok video posted by Rue’s owner @bear_the_brittany_beagle, Rue suffers from a sleep behavior disorder known as REM disorder. Sadly, this condition causes Rue to display sudden, violent behaviors during her sleep. Before starting treatment, Rue had to wear a muzzle while sleeping to prevent her from accidentally injuring anyone around her.
@bear_the_brittany_beagle Multiple vet appointments, neurologist appointments, and even an 8 hour round trip to one of the best board certified behavioralist and we finally got our answer. Figuring out how to work with REM disorder has been so hard considering it’s so rare and not many studies have been done to get answers. Thankful for the team of doctors who have helped us come this far! #REMdisorder #dogremdisorder ♬ dźwięk oryginalny – Liya | Travel Content Creator
For many months, Rue’s owner was in the dark about the exact condition tormenting her sweet Beagle mix. At one point, she had even considered behavioral euthanasia. It wasn’t until recently, after countless visits to the vet and other specialists, that she got an accurate diagnosis. Thankfully, Rue is responding well to treatment and now sleeps without a muzzle.
“Multiple vet appointments, neurologist appointments, and even an 8-hour round trip to one of the best board certified behaviorist and we finally got our answer,” Rue’s owner captioned in the now-viral video.
So far, the clip has racked up two million views, with hundreds of other dog owners leaving heartfelt messages in the comments section.
“OMG thank you for sharing this. After seeing this I’ve been doing research on REM Disorder. My husband and I have been dealing with what appears to be exactly this with our 2-year-old Bull Terrier,” one person wrote.
“I was thinking about Rue the other day, and I’m happy to see this. It’s still heartbreaking but progress is progress,” a second person commented.
“I have followed Rue since you first posted about her. I’m so glad you didn’t give up on her…,” a third comment reads.
What is REM Disorder in Dogs?
REM (Rapid Eye Movement) behavior disorder in dogs — sometimes abbreviated as RBD—is a rare neurological condition characterized by unpredictable, violent limb movements and erratic behaviors during sleep. These episodes occur not just at night, but also during daytime naps. The affected dog can unintentionally attack those around them or injure themselves by running into walls or furniture.
REM disorder also affects a dog’s quality of sleep and, ultimately, their overall well-being.
Research shows different factors could cause REM sleep disorder in dogs, among them underlying neurological issues, genetic abnormalities, and underlying medical conditions such as canine tetanus & cognitive dysfunction. In one study involving 14 dogs suffering from REM disorder, researchers established that this disorder can affect any breed or sex of dog; there’s no specific sex or dog breed at an increased risk. Moreover, this study found that 64% of affected dogs were aged one or below.
Common clinical signs of REM sleep behavior disorder in dogs include:
- Violent movement of the limbs
- Running or jumping in their sleep
- Biting and/or Chewing
- Growling
- Howling
- Barking
“I’ve had patients with very violent limb movements, a Greyhound that chewed the arm rest off a sofa over time because of RBD episodes, and I’ve seen videos of dogs that jump up and crash into a wall which finally wakes them up,” a veterinary neurologist at NeuroPetVet explains.
Source: Neuropetvet / Facebook
Usually, dogs with REM disorder will cease exhibiting these violent movements and behaviors once something arouses them from their sleep. For instance, when you wake them up or if they accidentally hit themselves. According to the veterinary neurologist, this is what differentiates REM disorder from epileptic seizures.
“How can we tell its RDB and not a seizure? Most patients can be awoken from REM-Sleep. Once awake, they just look drowsy for a few seconds to a minute or so, and are quickly normal. Patients with seizures usually cannot be woken up.”
Treatment for REM Sleep Disorder in Dogs
There’s no known cure for REM disorder in dogs. Thankfully, it can be managed with various medications, the most common being oral potassium bromide. As per research, potassium bromide reduces the frequency and severity of REM disorder episodes. In extreme cases, though, medical management may not work, and behavioral euthanasia (BE) becomes the only option left.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder in Dogs (FAQS)
What is REM sleep disorder in dogs?
In dogs, REM sleep disorder is a rare neurological condition characterized by sudden, violent limb movements and erratic behaviors during sleep. These behaviors include jumping or running in their sleep, growling, barking, biting, and chewing. REM disorder episodes can occur when the dog is asleep during the day and at night.
What causes REM sleep disorder in dogs?
Research shows that REM sleep behavior disorder in dogs is caused by factors such as underlying neurological issues, genetic abnormalities, and serious medical conditions such as tetanus.
Treatment for sleep disorders in dogs
Usually, canine sleep disorders, such as REM sleep disorder, are managed using different medications. Potassium bromide is the most common drug used to manage REM disorder in dogs.
