Has any one ever come across sleep disorders in dogs?
Any information would be very useful.

Like Narcolepsy you mean?
Dawn.

No, not really. In this case it is more like a part of the brain not being rested during sleep, causing fatigue, poor coordination, general poor condition and some very wierd behavioural traits (too many little things to elaborate). A bit like humans on sleep drugs which do not allow REM.
Various medical checks have been conducted but nothing abnormal has yet been found.
Its a bit of an enigma for both the vet and the owner.
I'm not even sure that sleep disorders have ever been noted in dogs. At this point any information, either scientific or personal opinion would be great.

Sorry Clive can't help you there then, would be interested in your findings though, a facinating subject.
Dawn.

Some fits only occur when the dog is asleep - is it primary epilepsy? Is that the sort of thing you mean? Or are you thinking along "emotional disorder" lines? Interesting post.

We have looked into the possibility of fits - at one stage it did seem that she (the dog in question) was having some type of siezure although it wasn't 'text book' epilepsy.
She has been on medication for some months now and recent tests have shown the phenobarbitone levels as normal and therefore the epilepsy should be under some control.
However, she is still much the same - some days she just seems to phase in and out of reality - almost catatonic at times.
Most days she is just a girl with her behaviour quirks, while other days it is obvious that something is very wrong on a fundamental level.
I'm not sure that the sleep disorder path is the right course to follow but it was suggested to me, and in view of a lack of other options it warrants looking into.

Have you considered a consultation with a homoeopathic vet? This may prove useful and so may acupuncture.

What symptoms does the dog show? maybe somebody on here has witnessed a similar thing.
Dawn.

What type of dog is she? Has she ever has a head injury? Is she holding her condition or losing weight or pacing? How old is she? There are so many causes of fitting. I think if she were mine I would want her to have a scan or x ray to rule out tumours or space occupying lesions and then work it out with your vet as to what is causing the problem.

Are you coming back Clive?