AstasMinion Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 Our acupuncture vet gave us herbs to help take the edge off for the upcoming fireworks fest. He prescribed Valerian and something called Pharma Kava (both from the Herb Pharm brand). Wondering if anyone has experience with these? We've given melatonin or Benadryl in the past. Quote Lisa Dog mama to angel-boy Ewan (racing name Atascocita Ewan), 3/26/10 to 8/23/20, and angel-girl Asta (racing name Pazzo Asta), 6/16/01 to 9/7/13. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TeddysMom Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 I have used the valerian root with pretty good success on mild cases of fear and anxiety but have no experience with the kava. I am so glad I live in the "boonies", no fireworks out here for miles. Sometimes I can hear them in the far distance but not enough to set any of the dogs off. Good luck with the herbs and please let us know how they work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 I have actually taken valerian myself years ago before sleep. It is somewhat of a sedative. Have no idea what it would do for a greyhound. Don't think I would give it to a houndie. I have had the best success with BACH's flower essences for dogs scared of the fireworks noise. There are specific essences tha would be perfect but in leiu of that BACH Rescue Remedy will do. It really works good for me to help my houndies and is completely safe and easy to use-just put 4 drops in their mouth as needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 I, too, am VERY fortunate to live in the "boonies!" It used to be living HEck where I lived in Florida. The stupid neighborhood kids would set off firecrackers DAYS in advance and afterward! I wanted to shove them ... well, you know! I have used Valarian root in a product called Ultra Calm by Foster and Smith, and it takes the edge off pretty well. I also like Bach's Rescue Remedy a lot. BUT, for my really thunder-phobics, Xanax or Valium was the ONLY thing that worked. If you have a thunder-phobic dog, obviously the fireworks will be a problem as well. Good Luck and stay safe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstasMinion Posted June 30, 2010 Author Share Posted June 30, 2010 Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Energy11, I'm with you on wanting to strangle the people who just won't stop with the stupid firecrackers for days and days. We'll get through it, but this holiday time makes me cranky. It's so difficult to enjoy it w/our little Asta girl shaking and hiding and panting in a corner. Quote Lisa Dog mama to angel-boy Ewan (racing name Atascocita Ewan), 3/26/10 to 8/23/20, and angel-girl Asta (racing name Pazzo Asta), 6/16/01 to 9/7/13. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Energy11, I'm with you on wanting to strangle the people who just won't stop with the stupid firecrackers for days and days. We'll get through it, but this holiday time makes me cranky. It's so difficult to enjoy it w/our little Asta girl shaking and hiding and panting in a corner. I KNOW!! People are such "Arskbutts" with this holiday! You do NOT need to shoot the stupid firecrackers off day and night, for DAYS!! As I mentioned in my other post, I was going to shove those firecrackers up ... you know where, and told those hoodlum kids, I'd do it!!! God, I HATED where I used to live!! It is horrible seeing our dogs afraid to go outside. AND, if they are leash-walked, that represents a danger of they getting away, as well. Good Luck! I KNOW your pain! Dee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sirsmom Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 we've had good luck using a 3 mg melatonin tablet for thunderstorms and now we are going to try it for the 4th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3greys2cats Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 I am so not looking forward to it either, the fireworks started here in May and will pretty much be all summer until Labor Day, they are sold everywhere here in NH Max is petrified, I will use Benadryl, he totally relaxes on this and I also set up his bed in the laundry room and leave TV w/sound system on loud, Sara is not phased by it. Good luck w/herbs, hope they work, let us know. Quote Roberta & Michael with Furkids- Flower (Shasta Flowers 6/7/06) & Rascal the kitty - Missing our sweet angels - Max(M's Mad Max) 10/12/02 - 12/3/15, Sara (Sara Raves 6/30/01 - 4/13/12) Queenie & Pandora the kitties - gone but never forgotten Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TeddysMom Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 we've had good luck using a 3 mg melatonin tablet for thunderstorms and now we are going to try it for the 4th. Does anyone know the max dosage of melatonin you can give? I have a visiting grey that is stormphobic and we are supposed to have storms over the weekend. Awesome is about 80 pounds. I have gotten away from the fireworks but can't escape the storms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstasMinion Posted July 1, 2010 Author Share Posted July 1, 2010 It is horrible seeing our dogs afraid to go outside. AND, if they are leash-walked, that represents a danger of they getting away, as well. Good Luck! I KNOW your pain! Dee It's the worst, Dee. Every year, we try to get out for a walk as early as possible on the 4th because we KNOW at some point while we're out we'll hear a random firecracker of some kind. People like to test 'em. Or wake up and set one off. Once Asta catches wind of it, she will fight like crazy to run back home and then have ZERO interest in going outside again. TeddysMom, Asta is a 53-pounder, and we've given up to three 3 mg melatonin doses in a 24-hour period. Likely someone here can chime in with the dose for a bigger pup. Quote Lisa Dog mama to angel-boy Ewan (racing name Atascocita Ewan), 3/26/10 to 8/23/20, and angel-girl Asta (racing name Pazzo Asta), 6/16/01 to 9/7/13. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 Valium baby! If I could main line it, I would. It's pretty bad here and it's the weekend. Oy. I am NOT looking forward to this. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest barkdogs Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 Valarian and Kava seem to help a bit with my guys. Also I think I will spike the water with rescue remedy..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3greys2cats Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 Just a question for the users of Bach's rescue Remedy, does it have alcohol in it. I am almost positive my Aunt gave it to me once and after I read the ingredients decided not to use it because it had the alcohol? Quote Roberta & Michael with Furkids- Flower (Shasta Flowers 6/7/06) & Rascal the kitty - Missing our sweet angels - Max(M's Mad Max) 10/12/02 - 12/3/15, Sara (Sara Raves 6/30/01 - 4/13/12) Queenie & Pandora the kitties - gone but never forgotten Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 Just a question for the users of Bach's rescue Remedy, does it have alcohol in it. I am almost positive my Aunt gave it to me once and after I read the ingredients decided not to use it because it had the alcohol? No, the new pet formula of Rescue Remedy no longer contains alcohol :-) It is a very good product for most greys and other dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magdalyn58 Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 The fireworks have already started here. Between the neighbors, the local towns, the casino three miles away, the Riverfront, and the AAA baseball stadium, it never ends. Our Angel Sophie was absolutely freaked out by them. It was awful. She'd pull the curtains off the window and run and hide in the bathtub. Now we have Teddy and Daisy, and thank goodness, at this time, they are bothered by them but not to such an extreme degree. Our Border Collie will bark constantly once they start. Daisy is afraid and runs upstairs to hide. I have been using Ultra-Calm Biscuits that I got from the Doctors Foster and Smith website. They contain 125 mg of Valerian Extract, 25 mg. of Vitamin C, 26,000 mcg of Chamomile and 26,000 mcg of Inositol. For dogs 46-90 lbs. you are supposed to give 8 biscuits in divided doses. However, I have been giving Daisy 2 biscuits and it seems to help a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 The fireworks have already started here. Between the neighbors, the local towns, the casino three miles away, the Riverfront, and the AAA baseball stadium, it never ends. Our Angel Sophie was absolutely freaked out by them. It was awful. She'd pull the curtains off the window and run and hide in the bathtub. Now we have Teddy and Daisy, and thank goodness, at this time, they are bothered by them but not to such an extreme degree. Our Border Collie will bark constantly once they start. Daisy is afraid and runs upstairs to hide. I have been using Ultra-Calm Biscuits that I got from the Doctors Foster and Smith website. They contain 125 mg of Valerian Extract, 25 mg. of Vitamin C, 26,000 mcg of Chamomile and 26,000 mcg of Inositol. For dogs 46-90 lbs. you are supposed to give 8 biscuits in divided doses. However, I have been giving Daisy 2 biscuits and it seems to help a lot. I really like the Ultra Calm, and keep them here. I especially use them for long car trips. I also give only 2-3, and that takes the edge off. Sorry you are going through this. I HATED it, year in, year out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3greys2cats Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 Just a question for the users of Bach's rescue Remedy, does it have alcohol in it. I am almost positive my Aunt gave it to me once and after I read the ingredients decided not to use it because it had the alcohol? No, the new pet formula of Rescue Remedy no longer contains alcohol :-) It is a very good product for most greys and other dogs. Greyt news, thanks! Quote Roberta & Michael with Furkids- Flower (Shasta Flowers 6/7/06) & Rascal the kitty - Missing our sweet angels - Max(M's Mad Max) 10/12/02 - 12/3/15, Sara (Sara Raves 6/30/01 - 4/13/12) Queenie & Pandora the kitties - gone but never forgotten Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 Valerian root caused George's liver enzymes to go through the ROOF. My vet later apologized for suggesting them as their is little to no research on their use and safety in canines. Just my 2 cents. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstasMinion Posted July 1, 2010 Author Share Posted July 1, 2010 Valerian root caused George's liver enzymes to go through the ROOF. My vet later apologized for suggesting them as their is little to no research on their use and safety in canines. Just my 2 cents. Thanks for adding those pennies — good to know all experiences! Do you mind elaborating a little for me? Thinking: What caused you to check the liver enzymes - was it a clear reaction to the Valerian, or were you purposely monitoring? And how long was George on it? Sorry he had a bad time with it! This vet recommended the Kava first then added the Valerian after hearing my description of Asta's distress level during fireworks time. He felt that it was safe for a few days at the dose he recommended and that her recent good bloodwork results (done by her main vet, but we share records) made him feel fine sending us home with these. Quote Lisa Dog mama to angel-boy Ewan (racing name Atascocita Ewan), 3/26/10 to 8/23/20, and angel-girl Asta (racing name Pazzo Asta), 6/16/01 to 9/7/13. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstasMinion Posted July 1, 2010 Author Share Posted July 1, 2010 (edited) Well, I've given the first dose. I gave it w/breakfast this morning (vet said to start small, a couple days before, as the herbs take time to build up). In any event I wanted to be home the full time after the dose — and during the day when I'm awake — to really monitor her reaction. The mix definitely has calming properties. I just got Asta up for a potty break since it's been several hours, and the second she set foot in the yard — OF COURSE!! WHY NOT?? — there was a firecracker in the distance. She turned right around and came back in, shaking a little. Normally, she would have SHOT back inside and would be shaking pretty wildly. Now, just 2 minutes later, she's lying in her safe spot with no detectable shaking. She's calm but doesn't want to venture over to her bed. Now, no other big booms have occurred, so that's part of why she didn't go into full panic mode. I'll try taking her out on a walk in a little bit. Honestly, I don't think I'll give the herbs again today. They seem pretty strong. We're planning to be home all evenings now through the holiday weekend, so I feel like we can react as needed. EDITED TO ADD: As soon as I posted, I invited Asta on a walk and she has responded with enthusiasm! :!! Edited July 1, 2010 by AstasMinion Quote Lisa Dog mama to angel-boy Ewan (racing name Atascocita Ewan), 3/26/10 to 8/23/20, and angel-girl Asta (racing name Pazzo Asta), 6/16/01 to 9/7/13. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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