I don't see a category for animal care so as my question is related to aging I've put it here. If there is a better place to pose my question please tell me.
I'm desperate. I'm am caring for a 15 year old dog who is deaf and nearly blind. He doesn't sleep for more than two hours at a time and when he wakes he wines until I hold him. There is no letting him whine himself back to sleep as his whining escalates to howling if I do not respond. I've tried keeping him in bed with me but he also wants to pace regularly and will wake me to do that. If I leave him to pace on his own he begins the whining to howling again after a few minutes. He is only calm for the brief time he sleeps and when he can sense me with him. He has also developed a ravenous appetite and wants to eat every few hours. His energy and appetite have become enormous. He's fine. I'm the one who is losing it, as I haven't slept through the night in weeks. It's like having a new born. As he has a heart condition and is on medication for that I don't want to give his tranquilizers or sleeping pills. But I've come close to strangling this dog who I deeply love. PLEASE send any advice you have soon. Thank you.