HEALTH NEWS--Thunderstorm Anxiety

It's summer and in the midwest -- that means thunder storms a plenty! Like many things, a lot of people don't think this is a "real" issue. Research into the problem shows division in the ranks. But, if you have a dog with "it", you know it's for real!

This can also get linked with noise anxiety (i.e. fire crackers/works, gun shots) but they are not necessarily the same problem.

Treatments generally fall into three potential solutions:

1. Desensitization. This remedy uses the idea that the dog is reacting to the sound of the thunder -- get a thunderstorm record, tape or CD; start playing it very softly and keep increasing the sound until the dog just forgets about it. Great -- so what if the dog is really reacting to the change in barometric pressure or wind or lightening flashes and not the sound at all. Well, then, this method doesn't work.

Along wth desensitization methods include your reactions to the anxious dog. Recommendations are not to give special attention to the anxious dog. Also, to be upbeat during the storm. Other methods of helping the dog cope with the anxiety may help here.

2. Prescription drugs. This remedy can take many flavors. The current popular one is to treat the dog with an anti-anxiety med such as we use on humans. Elavil, Clomicalm, Xanax -- the list goes on. These may or may not be successful. In any case, the aforementioned drugs take from 2 weeks to a month to see the effect. And then your dog is on these medications whether there are thunderstorms or not.

Other prescription drugs are sedating. Acepromazine is one that might be used. This approach is only used when the anxiety is approaching, but Ace, in particular, can take the dog really out of it. Should be used with caution in any case; the "normal" dosage could be too much for some dogs.

An alternative to Ace is Valium (Diazepam). This is a much milder sedative, does not take the dog out (in smaller doses) and is quite inexpensive. Of course, any of these drugs need to be prescribed by your veterinarian.

3. Alternative "drugs". This is the approach that many veterinarians may not believe in and may never suggest but holistic vets and folklore throughout the "community" may use with good effect. Rescue Remedy (a Bach flower essence) is very popular here. Others in this category include Kava-Kava and Melatonin. Though caution should be used with anything you give to your dog, most of these have few side effects.

I can address my experiences with the above methods -- just email me.

Some useful websites:

http://www.ygrr.org/doginfo/behavior-phobia.html

http://www.abap.org/thunder_remedy.htm