Does anybody drug their dogs?

[Boston Tea Party]

Ask your vet about a 'script for acepromazine. It doesn't knock them out, but it does more than benadryl.

We had lots of clients who used it for thunderstorms and fireworks - most thought it worked quite well.

Our dog used to take this for thunderstorm phobia, but our vet now advises against it.

I would take your dog in for a consultation and discuss medication options with your vet.

Our dog takes doggy Prozac every day.

 

[acejka]

We are moving to Orlando in November, I think I am going to get a sedative for the drive down (12 hours) while they like car rides, I think that is a bit much for them.

I'm going to stop and talk to my vet and make sure he is ok with that idea and thinks that it is best for their health before I do it. I know they are going to have a quite a few 12 hour car rides in their future since my family is staying here in Northern VA and I will want to bring them "home" from time to time.

 

[Stitchfans]

I couldn't or wouldn't for any pet dog or cat. I would be afraid of hurting them by giving them to much. Just me.

 

[Talock]

I would never drug my dog. Would you drug your kid because him or her is afraid of something? No, you help them through it.

Our toy poodle was terrified of fireworks and thunder. She would shake like a leaf and even relieve herself on our bed. We used to baby her when it happened until I read it was wrong. The way to go is to, while remaining calm yourself, keep their mind occupied with other things. I would play fetch, and hide and seek with her inside the house during the storm; and even sit with her besides the window to watch the rain. The latter you can only do if you're not afraid yourself, otherwise you'll project your anxiety on the dog.

This takes certainly more effort, but it's worth it. As a pointer; don't wait until they get anxious to start the "therapy". As soon as you sense something in them start with the distraction.

Mia (our dog) it's doing much better. She doesn't get scared anymore, but annoyed. When she hears a rumble she softly growls, and barks at the strongest strikes, but we are working on that.

Good luck!

 

[daisax]

We are moving to Orlando in November, I think I am going to get a sedative for the drive down (12 hours) while they like car rides, I think that is a bit much for them.

I'm going to stop and talk to my vet and make sure he is ok with that idea and thinks that it is best for their health before I do it. I know they are going to have a quite a few 12 hour car rides in their future since my family is staying here in Northern VA and I will want to bring them "home" from time to time.

Do your dogs ride in crates? It's the safest way, and the majority of dogs on a super long trip will simply doze. I've done a lot of cross country/long distance driving with dogs and on very long drives they really zone out after the first few hours. You'd be surprised how they DON'T get restless - they get sort of lulled and hypnotized by the motion of the vehicle, I guess. However, these are dogs in crates who can comfortably change position - dogs just sitting on a car seat have a harder time because car seats are pitched backwards and the dog can't comfortably stretch out in multiple directions (especially with other people nearby).

If it's possible to use crates that's the best option.

 

[tonilea]

Would you drug your kid because him or her is afraid of something?

Nope, but I wouldn't equate him with a dog either.

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

We have a greyhound, and now, so do my parents. For our boy, we just try to act as if nothing unusual is going on. When we had the tornado warnings about a month ago, that was really hard to do. Luckily, we had a load of laundry in the basement that needed to be folded, so we all went down there. We got down there just before the hail and thunder started. This storm was so strong, that it was only the 2nd time I've chosen to get off the first floor. Distraction has seemed to work thus far. Mom and Dad had severe storms 2 weeks ago, and theirs was shaking quite terribly. We hope that his confidence, with them as "pack leaders" will grow.

Ours didn't really like the 7/4 fireworks last year, but we just made sure that at least one of us was nearby (doing whatever-reading, cleaning, etc.). That being said, he was really interested in the comfort of his cage.

We also bought a spray of lactating female pheromones, which seemed to help calm Max's nerves after we got him. Greyhounds find so many things foreign that other dogs are used to.

I'd agree with talking with your vet. Different drugs can have different effects on different breeds. (greyhounds, for example) Your vet (or perhaps a pharmacy vet specialist) should be able to steer you to a medication that is safe for your breed.

Best wishes!

 

[Talock]

Nope, but I wouldn't equate him with a dog either.

What I meant was that giving or taking drugs is the easy fix, but not the best one.

 

[C.Ann]

DD's IL's dog (on the older side - a big dog - adopted from the Humane Society) is terrified of fireworks - poor thing.. IL's are always up here the 4th of July weekend and unfortunately we have people very, very nearby who set off nasty fireworks - the worse ("noise" wise) being the cherry bombs that make ALL of us jump out of our chairs..

Whether they were here or at home, they would have to deal with the same sort of situation - so - they just put him inside their camper van at the first hint of a firecracker and he settles down.. (It's quite small in size, so I think that helps to make him feel secure..)

I personally would not drug a dog or a cat for anxiety - and definitely not an "older" dog.. I would be afraid something might go wrong.. But - that's just my opinion..

 

[JR6ooo4]

We have tried therapies. Ranging from no reaction to fireworks from us - to anytime fireworks go off, good things would happen like favorite treats and brushing, etc...

But after a just a few hours of fireworks Q is shaking so hard and neither her or freddy would take a piece of cheese which is their favorite! I bet they wouldn't eat a piece of meat.

we have been trying the "non coddling" for about three years...

IF we do use something. I would like it to be the worst night only.

the weird part is that Q was not afraid for the first three years. then freddy came and was scared and now she is.

MIkeeee

 

[momof1princess]

we have a 67 pound basset hound who is absolutely TERRIFIED by loud noises, and he should be drugged during fireworks and thunderstorms, but we haven't tried it yet. my sister-in-law tranquilizes her cat (very old, large, long-haired tabby) when she flies with him. he's terrified of pretty much everyone and everything. DH and i have been together 20 years, and i've never actually seen SIL's cat in person-he hides every time someone walks in the door. can you say neurotic? lol

 

[muffyn]

I just came across this today
http://fireworks.com/phantom_mall/photo.asp?pid=1209

its a jacket of sorts that gives dogs a calming feeling.


what I have seen on the 'dog whisperer' is not to coddle your dog when it is frightened , that just tells the dog its ok to freak out. you are to get it distracted with 'something'.

our dogs don't care one way or the other,, well one pug likes to bark at them,, not trying to get the horses calmed down...

 

[Pumbaa_]

Valium for my boy

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I saw this and thought of this thread: http://www.avmamedia.org/detail.asp?sid=123&NAME=Storm_Phobias_in_Pets

There's a good audio link with a vet discussing ways to deal with these fears in our pets.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I saw this and thought of this thread: http://www.avmamedia.org/detail.asp?sid=123&NAME=Storm_Phobias_in_Pets

There's a good audio link with a vet discussing ways to deal with these fears in our pets.

thanks for the link, I will look at it after work.

We politely talked to the two neighbors and have not had one firework in two weeks. I told them, of course, that we would expect fireworks for a week or two around the fourth of july.

Mikeeee

 

[Disney Doll]

Fireworks, thunder...all that stuff never bothered Ted. My friend's dog is afraid of noises liek that, so she gives her a little something to take the edge off during a thunderstorm and around the 4th of July.