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Post by ailsa on Jan 9, 2009 6:33:20 GMT -5
If you've read this thread... greyhoundgap.proboards35.com/index.cgi?board=chat&action=display&thread=40738...then you'll know what this one is about. I am looking for personal experiences and good places to research the right kind of medication for Archie. My problem is that our vet, who is extremely good, seems to know very little about medication. (According to our dog behaviourist, this isn't unusual.) For example, last year I spoke to Angela about dealing with bonfire night, and she told me that she gave one of her lurchers Xanax. When I asked my vet about it, he'd never heard of it, and just gave us a prescription for diazepam. So if any of you know of a vet who is especially knowledgeable in this field, I'd be extremely grateful for their phone number. This is to be only a temporary measure, and hopefully Archie can be weaned off any medication in a few months, but we need to get it right, and would be grateful for any guidance. |
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Post by vickyb on Jan 9, 2009 7:54:41 GMT -5
www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1107263/Who-says-Im-barking-Meet-owners-worried-state-mind-pets-Prozac.htmlThis was in the daily mail on wed. I assume its the sort of thing you're looking for. I've got the paper if you want me to send you it just pm me your address. Vicky x mta-I don't think sedatives are the answer, surely there are better meds like these. As the vet told my friend (mentioned in the other thread) when she asked about sedatives v anti- convulsants its no good just sedating them with a long term problem, that just heightens the response when they come off them unless it's been possible to make a change, but I'm not a vet.
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Post by Nettie on Jan 9, 2009 8:37:59 GMT -5
I think calming medication can help, not alone, but with desensitising training. If the dog is so wound up and frightened it makes any training difficult if not impossible, medication takes the edge of the responses of the dog to things that frighten him and therefore makes desensitisation training easier and eventually medication can be reduced and eventually stopped.
Ailsa, I don't know what to suggest with Archie, have you been giving him anything at all, Rescue Remedy in his water for instance? There are several calming herbal remedies available to try but Archie might need something a little stronger especially to start with.
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Post by ailsa on Jan 9, 2009 8:54:59 GMT -5
Ailsa, I don't know what to suggest with Archie, have you been giving him anything at all, Rescue Remedy in his water for instance? There are several calming herbal remedies available to try but Archie might need something a little stronger especially to start with. Yes - he's had a DAP diffuser in the office (where he sleeps, and spends the majority of his day) for about four months, and it doesn't seem to have made any difference. We've tried two different types of herbal remedy and they too didn't seem to have any effect. I forgot to add that we've had a local veterinary homeopath and acupuncturist highly recommended to us by two different people, so we're going to make an appointment with him, too. |
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Post by ailsa on Jan 9, 2009 8:56:33 GMT -5
www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1107263/Who-says-Im-barking-Meet-owners-worried-state-mind-pets-Prozac.htmlThis was in the daily mail on wed. I assume its the sort of thing you're looking for. I've got the paper if you want me to send you it just pm me your address. Vicky x mta-I don't think sedatives are the answer, surely there are better meds like these. As the vet told my friend (mentioned in the other thread) when she asked about sedatives v anti- convulsants its no good just sedating them with a long term problem, that just heightens the response when they come off them unless it's been possible to make a change, but I'm not a vet. That article is very helpful - thanks Vicky. And I agree about the sedatives, which is why I was a bit shocked when that's all my vet had to offer, and why I feel I need to go back to him better informed and armed with some more information. |
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Post by vickyb on Jan 9, 2009 9:06:04 GMT -5
River has had acupuncture for arthritis and even though he wasn't particularly stressed it relaxed him amazingly. After each session he'd get settled in his basket and you could see him 'flop' and be totally laid back. The vet said they often slide to the floor as she does it. He stood up leant heavily on me as the needles were in so be prepared to sit on the floor for a while depending where they go in.
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Post by Jane and Sara on Jan 9, 2009 9:12:32 GMT -5
I currently have Bob on something called Clomicalm - he appears a very calm dog but I think looks can be deceiving - he had a hard time before he came to me and arrived with many issues - peeing everywhere, excessive licking and excessive drinking. The peeing stopped after a few weeks and having ruled out medical reasons for the above I was left with him licking to the extent of self-harming. I had him on the pills for a month and didn't think there was much difference - so I took him off - it was then I realised that he was better on the pills (although he still did some licking he didn't hurt himself and wasn't so obsessed with drinking so I'm putting him back for another month to see what happens - with the aim of weening him off them eventually. They don't appear to have any side affects. Might be worth googling 'Clomicalm'. Unfortunately I have thrown the leaflet away. There are, however, hugely expensive!. Good luck Jane
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Post by Lisa on Jan 9, 2009 9:52:51 GMT -5
Dont let them put Archie on Prozac ive just answered on the other thread but basically if the vets prescribe this is probably what will be given. I live with alot of weird/odd/nervous dogs all with a vile history and a couple have had it suggested we try and ive thus far refused and things have gotten better with time.
The obsession with the moon did that start before OR after you plugged in the Dap? Many dogs can react adversly to the Dap so that is a consideration.
Personally the only anti anxiety medications I would recommend and have had good results with are serenum and Wendals calming herbs which you add to the food BUT I only use them as an absolute last resort both are completly safe.
As I said on the other thread you can give me a ring if you like and we can bounce stuff around.
ALSO please try to find someone locally who is trained in reiki and confident enough to work with an animal. It really does make a hell of a difference and Trish will tell you we havent been able to get Travis out of his kennel yet. I sat with him the other week and gave him half an hours reiki he not only followed me out of the kennel but allowed me to leash him up, then proceeded to drag me right out onto the lane and take me for a walk. His confidence just from that interaction and calming re assurance was tenfold.
Im more than sure there are a few of us here if you post in reiki requests who wont mind working and sending from a distance but I really think he would benefit from having someone locally treat him once a week.
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Post by suffolkgrey on Jan 9, 2009 10:44:22 GMT -5
This is probably the most stupid suggestion ever. But no-one else has said it. (Probably got more sense!!)
Does Archie actually look up to the moon. Would one of those baseball peaked hat things work to shield him from it? Would he even wear one???
Hope that you find a way to calm him very soon.
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Post by ailsa on Jan 9, 2009 11:12:24 GMT -5
The obsession with the moon did that start before OR after you plugged in the Dap? Many dogs can react adversly to the Dap so that is a consideration. We got the DAP when the problem with the car started. The moon thing probably began in earnest about a month later. Funnily enough, as of today we've decided not to buy another diffuser, because we thought it wasn't working for him, but hadn't really considered that it might be having an adverse effect on him. ALSO please try to find someone locally who is trained in reiki and confident enough to work with an animal. It really does make a hell of a difference and Trish will tell you we havent been able to get Travis out of his kennel yet. I sat with him the other week and gave him half an hours reiki he not only followed me out of the kennel but allowed me to leash him up, then proceeded to drag me right out onto the lane and take me for a walk. His confidence just from that interaction and calming re assurance was tenfold. Im more than sure there are a few of us here if you post in reiki requests who wont mind working and sending from a distance but I really think he would benefit from having someone locally treat him once a week. It's got to be worth a try. And well done Travis.  |
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Post by ailsa on Jan 9, 2009 11:16:08 GMT -5
This is probably the most stupid suggestion ever. But no-one else has said it. (Probably got more sense!!) Does Archie actually look up to the moon. Would one of those baseball peaked hat things work to shield him from it? Would he even wear one??? Hope that you find a way to calm him very soon. Don't worry - friends and family have suggested it, too! But yes, he spends a lot of time looking skywards - so much so that he ends up walking into things and tripping over holes etc! |
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Post by kats-n-greys on Jan 9, 2009 11:35:55 GMT -5
to you and Archie. A couple of suggestions we use for Lloyd with his noise phobia. A fairly tight fitting T'Shirt (based on T'Touch) has helped. We've also has some success with Zyklene recently, before that we have used valerian and scullcap tablets with some success. I'd definitely try the complementary route before anything else. Hoping poor Archie finds some peace as it's horrible watching them suffer 
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Post by Nettie on Jan 9, 2009 11:41:43 GMT -5
Ailsa, Bertie had a horrible reaction to the DAP. I plugged it when I knew he was coming as puppy foster (we've always kept one for Indy for the fireworks period, worked beautifully for him). He turned up a lovely, fun little chap, within 24 hours of him being with us he turned into the puppy from hell, no inhibitions whatsoever, he was biting and basically being a little 'shit' - I know puppies can bite but this was awful. The following morning I woke early wondering what on earth to do with him, light-bulb moment - removed the DAP and by the evening had my lovely, fun little chap back again.
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Post by Gundogsgalore on Jan 9, 2009 12:08:49 GMT -5
I very rarely post on here - and even more rarely would suggest this - but in this case I'd suggest an animal communicator like James French might be able to help.
If the homeopathic vet is Mark Elliott he is totally utterly and completely superb (he's our h. vet too !) and he may well be able to help, but I just get a feeling you need to try a (good) communicator.
IMHO I don't think the medication route is the right one.
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Post by 7lurchers on Jan 9, 2009 12:10:04 GMT -5
Someone has already mentioned TTouch and the use of the T-shirt. That is one part of TTouch that is vey useful for dogs with fears generally. It would be worth seeing if you have a Tellington TTouch Practitioner close to you. I am geographically challenged I am afraid  , and don't know who would be closest to you but do ring them and have a word with them. I came to TTouch because of training issues with my lurchers and it has made such a difference. I was so impressed that I went on to train as a Practitioner. If you go to www.ttouchtteam.co.uk and click on TTouch for dogs there is a section for Practitioners and where they are. They are Guild members if they are on that list, so they are up to date with their training. Good luck in your search for help for Archie. He is a lucky boy to have such caring owners |
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