Introduction
“Narcolepsy” refers to excessive and sudden daytime sleepiness, lethargy or brief periods of collapse and unconsciousness that resolve spontaneously. It is a specific medical condition that involves much more than simple sleepiness, and the disorder is still not well understood. Narcolepsy affects both humans and dogs, and it is believed to be genetically inherited. It is not a life-threatening disorder, and is not painful.
Treating Canine Narcolepsy
The primary goal of treating canine narcolepsy is to reduce the frequency and severity of the cataplectic episodes. Treatment for narcolepsy is generally only considered if the dog is experiencing multiple episodes which interfere with its quality of life. This is uncommon. Narcoleptic dogs that cannot be regularly supervised should also be placed on management therapies; while the episodes themselves do not hurt the dog’s health, they can occur at inopportune times, causing harm to the dog.
The current medical treatment protocol for narcolepsy in dogs is to use tricyclic antidepressants, which act by blocking cellular uptake of the neurotransmitter, norepinephrine. Other stimulant medications are available to treat excessive sleepiness. Of course, new medications are being researched all the time.
Narcolepsy and the associated cataplectic attacks are generally not life-threatening. While there is no “cure,” the clinical signs can be minimized with treatment. Sometimes, the signs resolve on their own.