07-05-2017, 07:22 PM
It all depends on the dog. Our vet has given us acepromazine, which works very well for our pooch. We heard horror stories after first couple of times we'd used it (people claim the dog is still terrified but can't move) and begged the vet to let us try valium instead. The vet was against it but finally said ok and prescribed. She warned us that a super anxious dog such as ours can break through the valium and can hurt himself and people around him. (People have been known to coddle their dog when the dog is nervous and even on valium the dog can lash out and bite. Being close to a human's face, it can be really dangerous.) Our new vet agrees, btw, and in fact has us give him a low dose before vet visits bc of craziness. "He should not have to go through this when he comes in," the vet said.
Anyway, it's the ONLY thing that calms the dog. Claims mentioned above about still being terrified are totally untrue say the vet. On the dose we give him, he can still walk around if he wants to get a drink of water or something. Mostly, though, the drug makes him still, and then he falls asleep. The vet says it's far better this way bc he is safe and sound. I would NEVER, however, give him the ace and then leave the house.
Thundershirt doesn't work, unfortunately. He's gotten to the point that when he sees it come out, he starts to shake.
If you saw this dog during thunderstorms and fireworks, you would not believe how awful a state he gets in. Drool POURS out of his mouth, he hyperventilates, shakes uncontrollably, eyes wide in terror. It's far beyond nervous or anxious; he's terrified. And sometimes all it takes is one pop off in the distance.
Our other dog, btw, has absolutely no problems with the sounds of thunder or fireworks. She looks at me like, "What's wrong with him, mom?"
Anyway, it's the ONLY thing that calms the dog. Claims mentioned above about still being terrified are totally untrue say the vet. On the dose we give him, he can still walk around if he wants to get a drink of water or something. Mostly, though, the drug makes him still, and then he falls asleep. The vet says it's far better this way bc he is safe and sound. I would NEVER, however, give him the ace and then leave the house.
Thundershirt doesn't work, unfortunately. He's gotten to the point that when he sees it come out, he starts to shake.
If you saw this dog during thunderstorms and fireworks, you would not believe how awful a state he gets in. Drool POURS out of his mouth, he hyperventilates, shakes uncontrollably, eyes wide in terror. It's far beyond nervous or anxious; he's terrified. And sometimes all it takes is one pop off in the distance.
Our other dog, btw, has absolutely no problems with the sounds of thunder or fireworks. She looks at me like, "What's wrong with him, mom?"