Melatonin Question

[Guest katethegreyt]

We started our girl, Aoife, on melatonin shortly after we got her because I read all of the wonderful comments about it making bald bums furry = ) Thinking back, I can't remember how soon after we got her that I started giving her melatonin. I also don't remember any noticeable behavior changes after starting it. She had been a pretty calm dog from day one, and she had already lived in a home for a year. So we basically got the perfect dog from the get go, haha.

 

Anyway, we ran out of melatonin a week and half ago-ish. She's been off of it for a couple of days at a time before when we were out of town and someone else was watching her. I didn't notice a change then. This time, however, she's been much more anxious than usual. Generally, the only time she gets pacey and panty and seems to want to try to find another part of the house to go check out (outside of her baby gated area) is when there is a thunderstorm. She pants and paces from room to room. She's been exhibiting this same sort of behavior (milder though) periodically in the house since she's been off of the melatonin. She's also maybe a touch more prone to spooking outside (still only for big loud trucks or motorcycles though).

 

I don't remember her being this way when we first got her before we started on the melatonin, but that's the main difference I can think of after trying to think about what's changed in the last couple of weeks. No food change, no schedule change, no big scaries in the house besides a random thunderstorm a few days back (which she always has bounced back from nicely in the past).

 

I'm just curious if anyone else has noticed this kind of change after stopping a melatonin regimen in a dog that didn't seem to be that way before. Granted, I don't have the best base case to go on since we started her on melatonin within a couple of weeks.

 

Any thoughts?

 

 

[Guest zombrie]

No advice, I've had nothing but good results from melatonin. I know some people say it helps with their dogs anxieties, so if you started her shortly after you got her, she may have developed anxieties you didn't know about? Dogs can change a bit months after you adopt them

Edited June 9, 2011 by zombrie

[OwnedBySummer]

I found that melatonin chilled out Summer waaaaay too much. I won't give it to her. So... it took my calm and mellow dog to practically comatose. It makes sense that it has had an effect on your pup.

[Guest IHeartDogs]

Melatonin is often given for anxiety/stress/separation anxiety. The hair growth/bald butt help is just a bonus.

In my case, it does work on keeping a stressed hound calm from both thunder phobia and separation anxiety(not total magic but does take the edge off). I do notice higher energy levels as well when it is not given.

 

Like you said, you've given it from the very beginning and it works for her, so I would keep using it since it is safe and natural

Edited June 9, 2011 by IHeartDogs

[Guest FawnFan]

KateTheGreyt thanks for posting this question. Sorry I have no advice to offer as I currently don't give my greys melatonin. Good luck with your hound though.

 

To the others who are giving melatonin, can someone fill me in on the basics (how much, where to buy, what it looks like, how to give, etc.)? I have a anxious 78 pound boy who needs something to help relax him.

 

Here's why. Three days before this last Christmas (and only 2 months of having him in our home), we took him to the Vet and he threw a clot into his spine from being all hyped up and nervous about the vet visit. The clot got so painful for him that he decided he couldn't take it anymore and he flat-lined on the floor. Thankfully the Vet saw it coming and started stabilizing him immediately. She shot him up with some relaxing drugs so we could get to U of Penn's ER. He stayed there for the night - recovered before we even left 90 minutes after arriving - and the next day he was 100% fine. Thankfully he's been fine since. We just don't go in the car with him.

 

Any advice, suggestions, further reading, etc. you can recommend would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Jean

Mom to Dawson (DC's Dawson) and Gunner (ICU Smoking Gun)

Missing Angels Racey (Ranco Banshee) and CiCi (C's Chico Alysa)

Edited June 10, 2011 by FawnFan

[Guest katethegreyt]

To clarify, I know a lot of people use it for anxiety. I've given our girl an extra dose during thunderstorms, and it has helped.

 

It just almost seems like she adjusted to it so much that where she wasn't anxious before without it, she is now.

 

However, I guess maybe I just wasn't as in tune to her behavior when we first got her and perhaps she has always had a little touch of anxiety.

 

I just wanted to see if anyone had had any issues with a dog almost seeming to adjust to it to the point of becoming dependent on it. Sounds a little weird, but I figured I'd poll the mighty greyhound brains here = )

 

I have no real qualms putting her back on it if she keeps having issues, I'd just like to see if she normalizes a bit first. When we ran out, I figured the fish oil would maintain her coat, so I'd try her on fewer supplements for awhile. Might be a failed experiment, haha.

[tbhounds]

Perhaps you should put her back on it with the intention of weaning her off of it slowly rather than cold turkey. Her behavior makes sense as you have been supplementing her with a hormone-- we all know what happens when our hormones change!! Personally, I would never supplement with it unless there was a strong medical reason for it.

[Guest IHeartDogs]

To the others who are giving melatonin, can someone fill me in on the basics (how much, where to buy, what it looks like, how to give, etc.)? I have a anxious 78 pound boy who needs something to help relax him.

 

I have cleared melatonin with my greyhound savvy vet. It is very safe and there is no dependency. For anxiety give your hound 3 mg THREE times a day. If you know your dog is going to be in a stressful environment(vet visit/thunder storm/etc) then give a dose 20-30 mins before the stress starts. You can buy it in the supplement isle everywhere (costco/target/walmart). It does not do complete magic, just takes the edge off. It does not change your dog's personality, just makes them a bit sleepy.

Personally I just give it 20 mins before I leave the house for my SA hound; as soon as I know/see it is going to storm, I give it to my other hound. I actually do no use it 3 times a day; only when I need it

You should always clear this with your vet, but if your pup is healthy, it is fine.

 

Sorry to hear about the scary blood clot. There is also rescue remedy and composure liquid... Or you could talk to your vet about prescribing anti anxiety meds (xanax. etc). You can always slowly train with some positive reinforcement with the car/vet for short periods and build up to help him gain confidence. Good luck, and you can always google stuff

 

 

It just almost seems like she adjusted to it so much that where she wasn't anxious before without it, she is now.

 

However, I guess maybe I just wasn't as in tune to her behavior when we first got her and perhaps she has always had a little touch of anxiety.

 

I just wanted to see if anyone had had any issues with a dog almost seeming to adjust to it to the point of becoming dependent on it.

 

 

It is difficult to really know what her true personality is since you started her on the melatonin from the beginning.

From everything I have read there is no dependency or addiction. Melatonin is naturally created in your brain; at the normal doses it is very safe to start or stop at anytime, but then again, there are exceptions to everything....

Talk to your vet about it if you have more concerns.

Take care!