Anything Like A *valium* For Hounds

[ChiliDog]

As some of you know poor Buffy is TERRIFIED of the outside (that even includes the corridor outside of our apartment )

 

She is OK in the winter because there is less chance of meeting anyone or anything (except for snowblowers) but now that the weather is improving and people are starting to come out of hibernation she is regressing into the shaking quaking quivering little houndie from last year

 

DH just called to say that they were steam cleaning the carpets in the hallway, the doorman was vacuuming in the lobby, the street cleaner was going by AND there was a commotion across the street with 2 guys talking loudly. He had to pick Buffy up and carry her inside - she became literally paralyzed with fear.

 

We've tried melatonin, rescue remedy, clomicalm, DAP and prozac. Nothing worked and the prozac made her worse.

 

We tried enticing her with treats (you try walking outside with cooked chicken livers in your pocket) No way - she is not interested in anything except retreating to the safety of her house

 

Is there a prescription (or not) remedy that does not have to build up in her system, that can work within 1/2 hour to an hour, that will calm her fears (at least to get her outside), but that she can also take on a daily basis?

 

I feel SO badly for her. She is such a trip inside the house- a real character. Outside she is a very slight shadow of herownself.

 

Thoughts?

[turbotaina]

Xanax (alprazolam).

 

 

[CaliforniaGreys]

Have you considered Ativan?

[turbotaina]

Here's a short article on veterinary use of Xanax. Valium can also be used in dogs. You'd need to discuss long term use and any potential side effects with your vet. Generally, stuff like this should be used short term while you are working on training/desensitizing, etc. Our group has used Xanax with thunder-phobic dogs before with some success.

 

Good luck!

 

Edited: here is a better article.

Edited April 4, 2011 by turbotaina

[ChiliDog]

Thanks - I printed out the article on Xanax and will bring it to my vet.

 

C - any info on ativan dosages?

[CaliforniaGreys]

Thanks - I printed out the article on Xanax and will bring it to my vet.

 

C - any info on ativan dosages?

 

According to the vet here, max is 30mg and that's the same for a 70# or a 60# GH. That max is used for a severe phobia so I would guess you would need less, but obviously, it should be discussed with your vet

Edited April 4, 2011 by CaliforniaGreys

[ChiliDog]

Thanks - I printed out the article on Xanax and will bring it to my vet.

 

C - any info on ativan dosages?

 

According to the vet here, max is 30mg and that's the same for a 70# or a 60# GH. That max is used for a severe phobia so I would guess you would need less, but obviously, it should be discussed with your vet

 

Thanks

[Hollis]

We've got Bree on Xanax. Poor little thing is just SO scared of everything! We also have something called Calming Moments, pill form for those extra special times! Seems to work. Good luck, I truly understand!

[Guest KennelMom]

We've used valium with good success...Champ use to take it for thunderstorms. It was the only time he got stressed out, which could cause breathing problems with his laryngeal paralysis. Also here and there from time to time with different dogs. We keep it on hand most of the time...We've always had good results from it. Not sure about daily long term use though...

[greysmom]

You know Cash is on Xanax and has been for nearly four years. She was using the max dosage plus (4 1/2 mgs a day) taking 1 1/2 mgs three times a day. I've begun decreasing her dosage over the last six months and she seems to be doing OK. Of course, we've added two girl sisters (one older and one younger than Cash) too.

 

If you can, if you haven't, you might want to consult a certified canine behaviorist. Make sure they have the ability and training to prescribe controlled substances. You might need a different SSRI than prozac, or you might need to use a combination of drugs for her. Or a different class of anti-anxiety med. Not every drug works the same for every dog.

 

One other suggestion - Have you tried putting cotton balls in her ears? Sometimes I think with Cash it's the loud banging sounds that bug her the worst.

 

Poor Buffy. Hope you can find something that works for her.

[seeh2o]

I've had success with Carl on Valium. I used to have to give it in conjunction w/clomipramine (when it was building up in his system), had to give it 1/2 hour before I'd go to work. He's off the other med, but I keep some Valium on hand for long car rides as he is pretty claustrophobic and is a terrible passenger...standing, panting, drooling. He's miserable and it's unsafe as I can't see around him when I'm driving since he stand the whole time.

[Guest d0ggiem0mma]

I've used several drugs with different dogs with a lot of success. We tried Valium for Maggie (up to 40mg) but she didn't seem to like it, made her feel woozie I think. Maggie now takes 1mg Xanax 30 minutes before storms (re-dosed as needed every 4-6 hours for long storms.) Guinness used to take 2mg Xanax before I went to work for separation anxiety. A previous dog, Brodie, was on Clorazepate which is longer acting but I don't remember the dosage.

 

Greysmom had a greyt suggestion- see a certified behaviorist!!! They did a lot of extra work, internships, residencies, and have the experience with these meds that other vets don't have. It's not like antibiotics... they really need to know what they're doing.

[Guest BrianRke]

Thanks - I printed out the article on Xanax and will bring it to my vet.

 

C - any info on ativan dosages?

 

According to the vet here, max is 30mg and that's the same for a 70# or a 60# GH. That max is used for a severe phobia so I would guess you would need less, but obviously, it should be discussed with your vet

 

Thanks

30 mg of Ativan? 30mg of Ativan would kill a horse.

Edited April 5, 2011 by BrianRke

[Guest Whistle]

I have also used alprazolam for one of my hounds with good results.

[CaliforniaGreys]

Thanks - I printed out the article on Xanax and will bring it to my vet.

 

C - any info on ativan dosages?

 

According to the vet here, max is 30mg and that's the same for a 70# or a 60# GH. That max is used for a severe phobia so I would guess you would need less, but obviously, it should be discussed with your vet

 

Thanks

30 mg of Ativan? 30mg of Ativan would kill a horse.

 

That should have read 3mg...however, for the record, 30mg would not kill a horse, and I have used the 10mg spread out over 12 hours and no one is dead in my house. Not that I know of anyway and everyone here weighs much less than a horse

Edited April 5, 2011 by CaliforniaGreys

[Guest BrianRke]

Thanks - I printed out the article on Xanax and will bring it to my vet.

 

C - any info on ativan dosages?

 

According to the vet here, max is 30mg and that's the same for a 70# or a 60# GH. That max is used for a severe phobia so I would guess you would need less, but obviously, it should be discussed with your vet

 

Thanks

30 mg of Ativan? 30mg of Ativan would kill a horse.

 

That should have read 3mg...however, for the record, 30mg would not kill a horse, and I have used the 10mg spread out over 12 hours and no one is dead in my house. Not that I know of anyway and everyone here weighs much less than a horse

Lorazepam tablets and syrups are administered by mouth only. The tablets contain 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg lorazepam, with some differences between countries. Lorazepam tablets of the Ativan brand also contain lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, polacrilin, magnesium stearate, and colouring agents (indigo carmine—E132—in blue tablets and tartrazine—E102— in yellow tablets).

 

Ativan (lorazepam) starting dosages in adults being treated for anxiety are usually 1-3 mg daily, divided into 2-3 doses. A typical maintenance dose is 2-6 mg daily, taken in divided doses, with a maximum dose of 10 mg per day. The usual amounts prescribed for insomnia are 2-4 mg taken at bedtime.

 

This medication is available in the following forms:

 

•Lorazepam oral solution - 2 mg/ml

•Lorazepam sublingual tablets - 0.5 mg, 1mg, 2 mg

•Lorazepam tablets - 0.5 mg, 1mg, 2 mg

 

 

Taking 30mg of ativan would be considered a LETHAL overdose.

[Guest TinasTroops]

Donna we use Valium on Booker with his panic attacks.

[tbhounds]

I have also used alprazolam for one of my hounds with good results.

For those that might not know-- alprazolam-- aka--Xanax

[brandimom]

What about the anxiety wraps or thundershirts. I know the anxiety wrap helped my gf who has a non-grey.