My poor Big Fuzzy Dog is getting more and more terrified of loud noises as he’s getting older (11). It’s to the point where if a kid is skateboarding in the street, he goes bolting for the basement. Do any of you give prescribed anti-anxiety meds to your dogs? What is the effect? Shadow is old and his arthritis is bad, so when he goes hiding in the basement it’s very hard for him to get back up the stairs. 
Have you tried the Thundershirt?
http://www.thundershirt.com/?gclid=CMfAmaCw-agCFU5qKgodkU6jUg
I think that there was a topic on COTH about it just a short time ago, but I can’t find it. It may have been on Off Topic, and, thus, not available for search.
If it works, it would be better than drugs, I think.
have you asked the vet?
I am always fearful without direct permission to give people meds to a pet.
Used melatonin on one of my dogs that was fearful of thunder. It worked great. After she had it, she’d just lift her head up when it thundered, and then lay back down.
Dosage is 1 mg per 20 lbs up to 3 mg. For very large dogs, up to 6 mg can be given. Check with your vet if your dog has any health problems like liver, heart, kidney, etc. You give it at the first sign of a thunderstorm. Doesn’t make them act “drugged” but just makes them not care.
You can buy Melatonin in grocery/drug stores where they have sleeping aids. Be aware that it comes in both 1mg and
3 mg dosages.
As I said, I wondered if anyone used PRESCRIBED antianxiety medications on their dogs. It’s not like I have a stash of loose Xanax lying around my house!
I use a combination of the thundershirt (LOVE IT) and DAP collar/diffusers all the time and around times like the 4th of july and new year’s eve/day alprazolam (xanax). You should consult with your DVM about Reconcile also (veterinary approved prozac)
Xanax has been a great thing for our JRT who always had noise issues but started getting really neurotic as she got older AND when she became the only dog in the house. She takes 1/2 every night and 1 whole .25mg for storms. She is not drugged acting at all just not scared to death. I also tried valium, herbs and the thunder shirt. The xanax is what gives her quality of life.
thanks for the thundershirt link. Might try that, it’s not expensive. Am also going to talk to the vet when he goes in for shots in a couple of weeks.
I have been looking into starting my Husky with severe separation anxiety on Reconcile, which is Prozac for dogs, but decided against it until I try other things, including D.A.P. and aggressive training. It can make some dogs aggressive (it decreases their inhibitions with effects similar to a drunk human) and you have to slowly let them down off of it for 6 weeks.
Bach’s Rescue Remedy seems to work well on our fearful Mastiff mix. He’s afraid of thunderstorms and the Dremel drill for his nails… :eek:
Thundershirt works amazingly well on our Corgi, Gumby, during thunderstorms or any loud noise times.
Talk to your vet…
There is a protocol for storm phobias that involves Clomicalm and Xanax (along with some desensitization) which has been shown to be effective.
I started my JRT on it a few years ago when her storm phobia got bad and it worked like a charm. Now, at age 11, she’s pretty deaf, and can’t hear the noises anymore. Interestingly, the flashes of lightning will set her off during storms now, but if she’s in a good room with blackout shades (like our bedroom at night) she doesn’t even realize there’s a storm…
You could probably try a human child tshirt too - I think the idea is that it’s snug and that is what makes them feel secure.
There’s also the Anxiety Wrap:
LOL @ “Gumby”. Why do we corgi owners give them funny names? Mine’s is Tribble.
And Tribble couldn’t care less about thunderstorms, cannon fire, or a house falling down. She’s been known to go outside during a storm and bark at the thunder.
It’s just the poor big dog. :no:
[QUOTE=palominomom;5618551]
Bach’s Rescue Remedy seems to work well on our fearful Mastiff mix. He’s afraid of thunderstorms and the Dremel drill for his nails… :eek:[/QUOTE]
This is what I use on my Standard poodle who has always been terrified of thunderstorms, fireworks, etc. It works great for her. I give her a dropful and she sleeps through the storm. Now that she is 11 and her hearing isn’t what it was, she’s a lot less fearful of thunder (as long as there is no lightning!)
The most commonly prescribed drug for dogs with storm anxiety at our clinic is acepromazine. They are to get their recommended dosage about an hour before the storms come, and most people report good results.
[QUOTE=EponaRoan;5618824]
You could probably try a human child tshirt too - I think the idea is that it’s snug and that is what makes them feel secure. [/QUOTE]
That’s what I did during our last week of spring storms - I used one of my small old workout tees on my dog Simon. Different dog, and the fact that he had a shirt on did not bother him in the least!
You said he is a “fuzzy dog”. You might try rubbing him down with a dryer sheet. One theory is that the static generated by storms is a stressor.
I second Rescue Remedy. Worked fantastic for my storm terrified german shepherd. Plus it didn’t make her doppy. I hated Ace. Unless it wa given before the storm, she’d fight it and then be gorked out of her mind after the storm.
Where do you buy Rescue Remedy? Do they sell it in pet stores?
I always got it from KV Vet Supply along with stuff for the horses. I just Googled it and it looks readily available.
