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Post by Ted on Oct 9, 2014 4:23:37 GMT -5
Because of very loud Thunder and Heavy rain Merlin has been paniccing all night and is still not very happy. I have been awake because of him causing all sorts of noises. He has gone out the back a number of times, Mickey and Kelly have chased out after him to make sure he is okay. I have given hin Diazepam tablets and Valerium but makes no difference. He is extremely nervous of any noise at the moment. It looks like we will not be getting any walks today if the heavy rain carries on. Any case I would not be able to let him off the lead as I am sure he would bolt as he must have in the first place. I have always had this this problem with Merlin. The other three Hounds are not affected except their sleep was disturbed many times by Merlin wandering around paniccing and being very noisy whinning, which he is doing at the moment. None of these supposed medicines nor a Thunder shirt has worked for him. I was supposed to have the Flu jab at 8.55am but have delayed that to 3.45pm this afternoon.
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Post by lurchernut on Oct 9, 2014 4:41:35 GMT -5
So sorry Merlin has had such a disturbed night and been so worried  I have one extremely anxious and panicky hound over thunder and fireworks, and over the years had tried everything available that was supposed to help. In the end a few years ago the vet prescribed Xanax for him when noise was expected such as bonfire night and new year etc, and it worked for him. Once he had taken the tablets, he would panic for a couple of mins then appear to forget what he was so worried about and then settle again until the next noise sounded, at which he would do the same thing. This was in marked difference to a dog that usually slobbers because he couldn't control his saliva or swallowing while so fearful, with a racing pulse and wide eyes and who repeatedly tried to squash himself under tiny coffee tables or dig through the floor. This was even when he had a quiet enclosed den to try and hide in. Xanax also desensitises, each time he was given it, he was less worried than the last time. Now, after being on it when needed, such as bonfire night and new year, he hardly reacts at all. Gone is the worry that he could stroke out or have cardiac failure. Last night there was a lot of thunder over the house, and he didn't even bother getting out of his bed upstairs until a particularly loud crash, at which, he came downstairs and chose a chair to sit in. No shaking, no panting etc. I don't use drugs at the drop of a hat for my dogs, but sometimes it's the best thing for them. I hope you find something to help Merlin. If you don't want to try Xanax, I would get him some adaptil spray (shop around for the best price, I bought mine from Fetch.co.uk) and get hima fleece collar or a bandana that will stay in place and spray it (not whilst on him). Wait 10-15 mins for the alcohol base to evaporate and then put it on him. I bought fleece collars from dog-games.co.uk |
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Post by vickyb on Oct 9, 2014 6:15:35 GMT -5
Sorry that poor Merlin is so bad. Luckily we didn't get the storm up here. Our Maddie is a nightmare with bangs and has already started to anticipate bonfire night before the bangs have even started but I think it's because the nights are drawing in so every afternoon you can see her change. She's got xanax which has worked in the past so I hope it will help but she seems different so far - in a bad way  We've tried everything, got adaptil on now too but I'm not sure it does anything. |
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Post by Ted on Oct 9, 2014 7:59:34 GMT -5
I have asked our vet about Xanax for Merlin, at the moment they do not stock it. Poor Merlin was so shattered this morning that it took quite a while to get him up to put his Blizzard Coat on and take him out with the other three who were raring to go. Merlin was not very happy when I kept him on the lead at the park and when we came back home, but I did not want him bolting. Menta, Mickey and Kelly were happy with just a short walk so that they could do their business. Will have to take the three Greyhounds with me when I go to the Flu Jab clinic at the doctors. Menta most likely will want to stay at home with the garden door open in case she needs to go out the back.
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Post by sharonhigh45 on Oct 9, 2014 8:23:57 GMT -5
What a shame sorry poor Merlin is not happy with the stormy weather, my other lurcher used to be like that, thankfully the two I have now are okay,hope he settles down soon. I had my flu jab day before yesterday bit of a painful arm for two days, hope yours goes okay.
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Post by ragsysmum on Oct 9, 2014 10:19:14 GMT -5
So sad for Merlin and all the other dog who hate the thunder. We've been lucky over the years and only had one who was bothered by it. Hopefully at this time of year, thunderstorms will be rare and the dogs will soon forget and get their confidence back again for going out and about again.
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Post by thedogpack on Oct 9, 2014 15:01:41 GMT -5
Awwwwww , sorry Merlin is having a tough time with the storms I have 5 greys , and only one of them is fearful of thunder , fireworks etc . He gets himself in such a state despite having a safe den to go to . I've tried all sorts : Skull Cap and Valerian , Dap spray and diffuser , Homeopathic drops , Firework Balaclava and the Thundershirt . He is oblivious to the desensitising CD , I'm sure he knows it's fake Zylkene does help him a little but I have resorted to using Xanex for him this year . It is so horrible to see our beloved hounds so distressed . I'm dreading the start of fireworks , hate it when they go on sale in the shops because you know from that minute onwards they will be going off any day and any time . |
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Post by samburns on Oct 9, 2014 16:23:53 GMT -5
I really feel for Merlin and for you....its awful watching them suffer and unable to do anything to help them Katy came to us with a number of phobias and is very sound/noise phobic, today the heavy winds set her off Like others, we also give her xanax which really has helped. I didn't realise until Lurchernut posted on another thread that xanax also desensitises but I would say that after about two years of Katy having xanax as and when needed she definitely does relax much quicker....for example today with the wind howling I sat in her bed with her for a while and moulded a duvet around her back to make her more cosy and she settled within about 20 minutes without me needing to give her any - when she first came here she would have been pacing, shaking, panting and salivating for hours once upset by a noise, today she sat and shook bless her but her reactions are far less extreme. Our vet had never prescribed xanax before when we asked him about it and we always have to order it in advance before we run out because they don't tend to hold it in stock, although the hospital they are attached to do. We had tried lots of other things before resorting to medication but I really am grateful to those that suggested we ask our vet about xanax and glad our vet was willing to give it a go. We've already been having fireworks over the last couple of weeks and it will be non-stop until the new year, going off all times of day so we can't risk letting Katy off lead even during the day. We also had a few rumbles of thunder here today. I hope your vet will order in some xanax for Merlin and you can see if that helps him |
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Post by lurcherlot on Oct 10, 2014 4:17:20 GMT -5
It's a really bad time of the year for storms and probably fireworks soon too .... one of mine is reacting to rain, least of all what is to come in the next month or so.
I hope Merlin copes better in future with xanex, or similar, which seems to be satisfactory for most people's dogs.
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Post by Ted on Oct 10, 2014 9:08:30 GMT -5
Checked with our vet about getting Xanax and he does not like it says it is not authorised in the UK. Looks like I will just have to put up with cuddling Merlin when he is in this state. We had a quiet night last night and Merlin like me both had a good sleep. The other three were okay as well. Menta went out at 8pm, Midnight and 8am, then came for a walk at the park with all of us. She was bounding along quite happy, it is a pity about her loss of sight as she use to enjoy exploring at the park off the lead, now she has to be on the lead so that she is safe, but in the fine dry weather I did let her off the lead when I was sitting on one of the parks benches. Menta usually then curled up at my feet or went over to the bushes to do some digging and then laying in the hole she had made. I notice Mickey some times helps her with the digging.
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Post by sharonhigh45 on Oct 10, 2014 13:21:21 GMT -5
Hopefully the weather will calm down now and Merlin will feel happier, just hate the dreaded fireworks feel sorry for all the hounds who freak out, just thankful my two are okay with them, keep cuddling yours.
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Post by lurcherlot on Oct 10, 2014 16:14:47 GMT -5
Checked with our vet about getting Xanax and he does not like it says it is not authorised in the UK. Looks like I will just have to put up with cuddling Merlin when he is in this state. We had a quiet night last night and Merlin like me both had a good sleep. The other three were okay as well. Menta went out at 8pm, Midnight and 8am, then came for a walk at the park with all of us. She was bounding along quite happy, it is a pity about her loss of sight as she use to enjoy exploring at the park off the lead, now she has to be on the lead so that she is safe, but in the fine dry weather I did let her off the lead when I was sitting on one of the parks benches. Menta usually then curled up at my feet or went over to the bushes to do some digging and then laying in the hole she had made. I notice Mickey some times helps her with the digging. I taught my blind dog a language that we both understand ... leg = stay close, step = self explanitory, door shut = gate shut, mind the fence etc. I talk to her constantly so she knows where I am, therefore enabling her to mooch around wherever she wants to, off lead. I expect the regular walks you do, Menta will know and remember, probably better than you! If you can just teach her what you need her to know, and as she was an off-leader anyway, she surely could be trusted to mooch around? What about a 30ft lead, or lunge rein attached to her, but not held by you, you would be allowing her the freedom but could prevent her making any mistakes if she is heading in the wrong direction. Nothing is more wonderful than to see my little girl running around with the other dogs having a whale of a time - one of the things that makes my day, every day  |
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Post by Ted on Oct 14, 2014 6:11:04 GMT -5
My vet has ordered Xanax for Merlin, was expecting it to be in today but he is checking up to see where the order is. We, that is Merlin and me, have a 3pm appointment tomorrow with Jan as Jan has to check Merlin over first to sign the issue of a Human Drug. So I am hoping that it will sort Merlin out from his paniccing, especially as Bonfire night is coming and Clydach is having a Bonfire display on Saturday 1st November and we are only about a mile by road from where it will be held. Menta, Mickey and Kelly do not panic like Merlin but still are disturbed by fireworks bangs. They look at me as if to say what was that Dad.
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Post by lurchernut on Oct 14, 2014 13:11:49 GMT -5
Before Kobi was prescribed a full dose of Xanax by his vet, he was given a small dose first to make sure he was ok with it. This was yearsss ago, and it mightn't be necessary now as it is much more commonly used for dogs than yonks ago when Kobi first tried it.
He doesn't stay on it long term, he just has it when problems are expected such as on and around bonfire night and new year, but as I said previously, as the Xanax reduces the fear/stress/anxiety from whatever the cause, they are then less frightened/stressed the next time they experience it.
Good luck and I hope It helps Merlin x
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Post by sharonhigh45 on Oct 14, 2014 13:27:54 GMT -5
I really hope that the Xanax helps poor Merlin, good luck for the rest of the year.x
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