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Bam! Bang! Boom!
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Noise Phobia in Dogs
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A Time for Celebration
When you are preparing for the 4th of July you are probably trying to decide which picnic you are going to attend, what you are going to make, and which park you are going to set up at to get the best view of the fireworks.
You might even be thinking of taking your BFF along with you because he enjoys the park so much! But if you have a pet you know is fearful of loud noises (fireworks, thunderstorm, backfire from a car, etc.) this season might fill you with as much or more fear as your pet experiences. It may also mean that instead of spending time with family and friends you stay home to comfort your pet through this difficult time.
Approximately 40% of dogs in the United States suffer from some form of Noise Phobia and only ~20% of owners seek care or treatment. The other 20% either do not feel the problem is bad enough to seek care or do not recognize the size of fear, anxiety, and stress from their pets.
Speak up during your yearly vaccine appointments, this is your time to ask the Veterinarian about anything that concerns you about your pet. We will often ask if there are any specific medical concerns you have, however, behavior isn’t often brought up. If you have noticed changes in behavior you are worried about let your Veterinarian know.
Treatment depends on the severity of the signs you are seeing at home. It may range from Thundershirts, Supplements (Composure Pro, Zylkene, or Solliquin), and white noise machines. The addition of prescription medications may be required to control all clinical signs and keep your pet as calm as possible. The recommendation may also be a combination of all the above (thundershirt, supplements, and medication). Some common medications include Trazadone, Sileo, or Alprazolam/ Lorazepam. Medications can have a wide dosage range and can work slightly differently in each patient so your if these are medications your pet has not needed in the past you may be asked to preform a test dose with the medication at home on a normal day to ensure your pet responds well to the medication. Remember, on a normal day the effects of the medication (sedation usually) may seem pronounced but when given when your pet is fearful or anxious your pet will override some of the effects of the medication. Discuss any concerns you have during the trial period with your Veterinarian ASAP so doses can be changed or different medications can be considered.
Stay safe and stress free friends!
[/vc_column_text][/trx_section][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1533135180690{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1533134942241{background-color: #d9ae4c !important;}”][trx_title type=”2″ align=”left” color=”#f6f2e4″ left=”20″ right=”20″]About Dr. Eileen Savier[/trx_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1533135315368{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]Barks & Recreation is proud to feature Dr. Eileen Savier CVA, CVCH as our Veterinary Blogger in our “From the Vet” Series. Currently part of the team of doctors at Keystone Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Savier is a 2012 Graduate of the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, She completed her clinical experience at The Ohio State University and after veterinary school she pursued further education and certification in Veterinary Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Fear Free veterinary visits. Dr. Savier has a special interest in integrative medicine, animal behavior, and internal medicine and is committed to improving animal health care by integrating Eastern and Western philosophies. She enjoys working with fearful & aggressive dogs and cats and she has had additional training in low stress handling techniques and encourages positive reinforcement during exams and procedures. Her clinical interests include pain management, animal behavior, geriatric patient care, and internal medicine. Dr. Savier is a member of the following associations:
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM)
- American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
- American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)
- American Association of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (AATCVM)
- Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA)
Dr. Savier shares her home with two (soon to be three) dogs, two cats, and a toddler. She lovingly refers to her two dogs as Coconut Retrievers as they were rescue dogs she brought home from the island of St. Kitts. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, and planning her next Disney vacation.
Join us every month for Dr. Savier’s “From the Vet” series to get more information related to the health and welfare of your furry family members![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]