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Tis
the Season for... THUNDERPHOBIA!!!
by Teresa Garden, DVM
Yes, the thunderstorm season is upon us and many
of you are dreading it. In addition to worrying about
damage from high winds, heavy rain, and hail, you have
the added burden of trying to calm a pet that is terrified
of thunder. Fear of thunderstorms is not uncommon among
dogs. It can affect any breed, age, and sex. Many of these
dogs will start showing symptoms 15-30 minutes before
the storm arrives. Symptoms pet owners should watch for
include shaking, trembling, agitation, whining, restlessness,
and pacing. Some pets will try to escape-even going to
extreme measures such as crashing through windows or destroying
doors. Some will hide. Some will become extremely clingy
and want to be held and comforted.
There are a few simple commonsense things you can do to
help: make sure pets are kept inside the home, close doors
and windows, and provide background noise such as fans,
AC, TV, or music. Many veterinarians will prescribe Acepromazine,
a phenothiazine tranquilizer to help calm these fearful
pets. This drug can be safe and effective in young healthy
dogs. It should not be used in dogs that have seizures
because it lowers the seizure threshold. It must be used
with great caution in elderly pets since it can suppress
central respiration. At Animal Health & Healing we
try to minimize the use of Acepromazine and focus on holistic
therapies to help our patients afflicted with thunderphobia.
Bach Flower remedies are a safe, effective, and non-toxic
avenue for treating emotional and behavorial problems
such as thunderphobia. Flower essences offer natural special
energy properties to promote healing. Rescue Remedy, the
best-known Bach Flower product, is a proprietary blend
of the following five flowers: Cherry Plum, Clematis,
Impatiens, Rock Rose, and Star of Bethlehem. Rescue Remedy
will calm agitated emotions, decrease fear of thunder
and other loud noises, and reduce stress and anxiety.
Other Bach Flowers that may be helpful with thunderphobia
include Aspen and Mimulus. Bach Flowers can be applied
directly to the face and muzzle, consumed with food or
water, or sprayed in the air. Rescue Remedy is available
at our clinic as well as an excellent resource book entitled
“Bach Flower Remedies for Animals” by Helen
Graham and Gregory Vlamis.
Melatonin is a hormone manufactured from serotonin and
is secreted by the pineal gland at the base of the brain.
In some dogs melatonin is helpful in managing anxiety
and stress and reducing fear of thunder. We will often
recommend using it in combination with Bach Flowers.
Homeopathy is another safe and gentle modality that can
be employed to help some animals suffering from thunderphobia.
Phosphorous is the most famous and classic remedy for
fear of T-storms. Pets that may benefit from Phosphorous
tend to be thirsty, very affectionate with people yet
a nuisance to other pets, may vomit food or water shortly
after ingestion, and have throat problems. Belladonna
is a remedy for pets exhibiting a violent fear of T-storms,
dilated pupils, hiding, and very red eyes and gums. Gelsemium
may help those pets whose fears manifest as urinary incontinence
and cower in a stationary position. Natrum muraticum may
be appropriate for dogs that are sensitive to noises in
general, tend to be loner animals, and seek solitude when
scared of thunder. Rhododendron can help some dogs that
have fear of thunder and suffer from rheumatic pains.
Homeopathic remedies, as well as the previously discussed
Bach Flowers and melatonin, can be found at local health
food stores.
While writing this column yet another thunderstorm is
approaching. My own little hairless dog Priscilla is very
afraid of thunder and has just started to tremble with
fear. I give her some Rescue Remedy and put on her Storm
Defender cape. This is a cape made of red cloth on the
outside and a special metallic lining on the inside. The
metallic lining, theorectically, stops static electricity
from bothering her. It provides a shield against the static
charge that some dogs will sense before a storm. It is
a fairly new product but so far this spring it has really
helped reduce Priscilla's fear of thunderstorms. For more
information on the Storm Defender cape please call 513-931-2175
or visit the website www.stormdefender.com.
Dr. Teresa Garden is chief veterinarian and owner of Animal
Health & Healing, a full-service holistic and conventional
veterinary practice in the Maplewood/Richmond Heights
area.
AnimalHealthandHealing.com;
phone: 314-781-1738
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