Independence
Day is a festive occasion for us but it’s the worst day of the year for many
dogs across the country. “Bombs bursting
in air” is not most dogs’ idea of a great show.
Noise phobia is severely stressful to dogs, many of whom spend the day
pacing, panting, trying to hide and soliciting solace from their people. Some even do severe damage to themselves and
their housing when left alone while fireworks are popping. Fortunately, the devastating effects of noise
phobia can often be ameliorated or even eliminated with behavior tricks or the
judicious use of medication.
Those dogs mildly bothered by
noise phobia can sometimes be distracted and calmed by throwing a “Fireworks
Party.” Starting a couple days ahead of
the holiday, feed your dog only about one quarter of her early meal. Have some really yummy treats ready at
hand. Then, at the first sound of
fireworks, YOU respond with a happy, “It’s a fireworks party!” Award a treat with each boom until your dog
is happily anticipating the next boom. The
next step is to require a 30 second Down-Stay before each treat. Dogs tend to be calmer when they are lying
down.
For more severe anxiety
medication is helpful. A calming pill can
prevent anxiety when given ahead of the event, and even reduce or eliminate
anxiety in dogs that are already worked up.
Dogs in our practice that have had a thorough examination within the
last twelve months and are not showing signs of ill health are treated with
lorazepam, an anti-anxiety medication. Optimally
the pill is given 1-2 hours prior to fireworks, but can often prove helpful
even when given after the cacophony is underway.
Severely affected dogs usually
require a sedative, called acepromazine, in addition to lorazepam. This drug is actually a tranquilizer and so,
unlike lorazepam, it is likely to make your dog sleepy. The effects of acepromazine are variable such
that two different dogs of the same weight might require quite different
doses. It is best to try out these
medications on your dog before the event to see how he might respond. The occasional dog will paradoxically get
more excited after taking lorazepam.
Anxiety is as distressing as
physical pain from an injury or illness. An anxious dog is suffering and the problem
should not be ignored. Fortunately, many
susceptible dogs can be helped. If your
dog is afraid of fireworks or thunder, call us for relief.