Older dog - new separation anxiety

[starhorse]

My 12 year old mutt has recently started experiencing separation anxiety. It sort of “kicked off” with my fiance’s trip out of town, but now she gets pretty frantic when we leave the house (even if only for a short time). It is odd - some days she’s fine, some days she panics, and we can’t figure out what is causing it.

Took her to the vet. Bloodwork and urine are normal. Vet prescribed Xanax but I’m wondering if she might do better on something more long-term, like prozac? We have a follow-up next week.

We aren’t really willing to drag her several hours to a behavioral specialist. I think that would be a bit traumatic for her (she hates the vet) and we just want to find something to make her comfortable in her older age.

Anyone used anything that has helped? OTC calming meds or prescription meds? Other suggestions? (We’ve tried leaving the TV on, leaving her with a bone/snack, etc.)

[jetsmom]

Melatonin. 1 MG per 20 lbs for dogs up to 3 MG total for dogs up to 100 lbs. So a 90 lb dog would get 3 mg. Giant breeds like a mastiff can get a max of 6 mg. Safe and effective.
Be aware that Cushings can cause pacing and panting. So if that is what he is doing, I would see if he has any other symptoms like increased water intake, ravenous appetite, getting into trash, having accidents all of a sudden, pot belly, muscle wasting on back/hips, losing fur.

[starhorse]

[QUOTE=jetsmom;8392276]
Melatonin. 1 MG per 20 lbs for dogs up to 3 MG total for dogs up to 100 lbs. So a 90 lb dog would get 3 mg. Giant breeds like a mastiff can get a max of 6 mg. Safe and effective.
Be aware that Cushings can cause pacing and panting. So if that is what he is doing, I would see if he has any other symptoms like increased water intake, ravenous appetite, getting into trash, having accidents all of a sudden, pot belly, muscle wasting on back/hips, losing fur.[/QUOTE]

How do they test for that? Would it have come up in the urine or bloodwork or do I need to ask for it specifically?

Thank you for the info on melatonin, by the way. Do you give it only when you go away, or do you give it regularly as a daily thing?

[jetsmom]

Melatonin is great for Sep anxiety, dogs that have issues with thunder or fireworks, and dogs that get so nervous about car rides they get sick. You normally give it about 20 min before leaving, or at the first sign of a storm for noise phobic dogs. There is a lot of info online about melatonin for dogs. Very safe, few side effects.
For cushings, they do an ACTH test (blood). If the dog doesn’t have any of the symptoms I listed in previous post, then I wouldn’t test. They may not have all of the symptoms, but usually a couple if they have it.
What is your dog doing that makes you say Sep anxiety…pooping, tearing things up?

[starhorse]

[QUOTE=jetsmom;8392294]
Melatonin is great for Sep anxiety, dogs that have issues with thunder or fireworks, and dogs that get so nervous about car rides they get sick. You normally give it about 20 min before leaving, or at the first sign of a storm for noise phobic dogs. There is a lot of info online about melatonin for dogs. Very safe, few side effects.
For cushings, they do an ACTH test (blood). If the dog doesn’t have any of the symptoms I listed in previous post, then I wouldn’t test. They may not have all of the symptoms, but usually a couple if they have it.
What is your dog doing that makes you say Sep anxiety…pooping, tearing things up?[/QUOTE]

Our downstairs neighbors have said she’s been whining, and the other day she had torn up our blinds over the doorway out. Just today, she chewed on the wood of the door when my fiance left to go to the gym for an hour (and I was at the barn).

She’s also just generally more anxious these days. Sometimes whiny/panting even when we’re home. I’m not sure how to help her and I feel terrible.

So far, she’s only destroyed the two things (both at the entryway).

[jetsmom]

Could she be arthritic and maybe the pain is making her anxious?

[poniesinthenight]

How about ulcers

[starhorse]

[QUOTE=jetsmom;8392301]
Could she be arthritic and maybe the pain is making her anxious?[/QUOTE]

Possibly. We just started her on Rimadyl (spelling?)

@poniesinthenight;8392308

How about ulcers

She doesn’t really have any of the symptoms that I read online. I think she’s just getting old and a bit senile.

[starhorse]

Grabbed some Melatonin today and ordered a Thundershirt from Amazon. Also going to try to make another vet appointment for a second opinion. The more I read, the more people suggest trying Prozac or Clomicalm BEFORE Xanax, which is what we were prescribed. Anyone used either of these?

[Beckham03]

My old man got very anxious/odd his last year or so. He was already under the care of a neurologist. The prescribed Trazadone that he took twice a day. We prescribe it a lot at work. I also have another terrible anxiety dog that takes it. The chlomiprimine got too expense and Xanax never really worked for him. The behaviorist also recommended combining the trazadone with amitryptiline. Composure Pro treats also help and can be given with the meds. We also do the Thundershirt and play the Through a Dogs Ear CD when we leave.

[starhorse]

I’ll ask the vet about those meds, and will check out the Through a Dogs Ear CD!

The Xanax seems to work, but if my dog is just getting generally senile/a little unsure of herself, I’d rather find a constant med that can keep her mentally comfortable rather than tranqing her, you know?

Update: I just bought my dog a CD… Never thought I’d say that!

[Beckham03]

The cd is great. I work with a neurologist who also does some healing touch, etc and had something to do with making that cd. We use it at work along with a lot of lavender, DAP, and composure treats to help the dogs.

If you search you will see posts about my one dogs severe separation anxiety. Ironically, she’s gotten better now that’s she’s deaf and almost 15. My other old dog developed some weird anxiety and odd behaviors his last year. We lost him at 14. His neurologist suggested the trazadone. It helped a ton and he had an active, happy quality of life.

I hope some of this helps you out:)

[SuckerForHorses]

Have you had her thyroid checked?

Our Golden is 12 and he started doing some odd separation anxiety/noise anxiety type behaviors, and his thyroid was low. His issues resolved completely when we got him on thyroid medication.

[starhorse]

[QUOTE=Beckham03;8393359]
The cd is great. I work with a neurologist who also does some healing touch, etc and had something to do with making that cd. We use it at work along with a lot of lavender, DAP, and composure treats to help the dogs.

If you search you will see posts about my one dogs severe separation anxiety. Ironically, she’s gotten better now that’s she’s deaf and almost 15. My other old dog developed some weird anxiety and odd behaviors his last year. We lost him at 14. His neurologist suggested the trazadone. It helped a ton and he had an active, happy quality of life.

I hope some of this helps you out:)[/QUOTE]

Thank you so much! It gives me hope that your dog came out of it a bit and went on to have a good quality of life. I keep telling myself that I will -not- let my dog be miserable and uneasy the rest of her life, but I’m not willing to give up on her, either.

[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;8393876]Have you had her thyroid checked?

Our Golden is 12 and he started doing some odd separation anxiety/noise anxiety type behaviors, and his thyroid was low. His issues resolved completely when we got him on thyroid medication.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the tip! Thyroid is normal according to the test results from last week.

[SkipHiLad4me]

I have a 10yr old Lab who has always had separation anxiety but it has gotten a lot worse in the last few weeks. He’s in otherwise great health. My vet also recommended the Composure treats which should be arriving this week. I will let you know how they work. I also ordered some of the DAP spray to try at her suggestion. I wanted to try some other treatments before going straight to the drugs so fingers crossed! He has been getting so upset about us being gone at work that he gives himself upset stomach and he’s in a panic when I get home. He’s totally normal again within 10-15 minutes of someone being there. Nothing else has really changed recently. I feel terrible for him.