pgs 1-40 Coffee Break Magazine February 2019 FaceBook 1

22 ANIMAL HEALTH
STORM PHOBIA
(Applies to Fireworks too)
Around 20% of dogs suffer from a fear of thunderstorms. In some dogs
symptoms are confined to trembling, panting, whining or hiding while
a percentage of dogs can exhibit extreme behaviours as a result of a
storm phobia. Dogs have been known to self-mutilate, attack other
pets and get destructive in their attempt to "run away" from the thunder
like jumping through glass windows or clawing through walls and
doors.
It is not clear why some dogs are frightened by storms and others are
not. The fear may be auditory (the sound of thunder, rain, and wind);
visual (the flashes of lightning) or as a result of sudden changes in
atmospheric conditions. Many phobic dogs become anxious long
before the storm begins.
Certain breeds such as the herding, sporting and working dogs are
more prone to storm anxiety. Dogs homed from animal shelters are
also over-represented, perhaps due to previous scary experiences or
insecurity. Also, dogs in one-dog households may be more fearful than
dogs in multi-dog households. This suggests that genetics as well as
life experience plays a part in the cause of this phobia.
Unfortunately, when a dog begins exhibiting signs of fear and anxiety,
many dog owners are compelled to coddle and comfort the dog. But
this tends to only worsen the dog's storm phobia. Instead, owners
should work to desensitise their dogs between storms, neutralising
the fear and eliminating behavioural problems. Desensitisation is a
slow process where the dog is exposed to low volumes of storm
sounds while experiencing a pleasant things such as a massage, a
favourite game, or special treats. This must be repeated many times
and the storm sounds can be gradually increased without upsetting
the dog. If not done properly, attempts at desensitisation can actually
make the dog's fear worse. Being too hasty may frighten the dog and
any progress may be lost and the training started over from the
beginning. CD's of thunderstorms can be obtained from your vet clinic.
Other treatments that are commonly used and available from your vet
are calming pheromone collars, homeopathic remedies and antianxiety
medications
Storm-phobic dogs may also benefit from soothing music or a
television played at a volume to mask storm noises. Dogs should
always have a safe place where they can hide like a box or under a
bed. Carpets and extra blankets may help dull the vibrations and
sounds and closed curtains will block out flashes of lightning and the
view of swaying tree branches and rain on the widow.
Never yell at, punish, or try to restrain a terrified dog. This will never
help and will only serve to increase its terror. Reassure your pet and
allow it to go to its place of security. Panicked dogs may also escape
during a thunderstorm and therefore it is important for your pet to carry
an ID tag or be micro chipped so that it can be located and safely
returned. The above article also applies to fireworks.
Article By
Dr G
DOG CALMING WRAP
Various Dog wraps are available from
your local Vet or online. ie Thunder
Vest or Shirt. DIY wraps can be found
on Pinterest. Please remember to
consult your local Vet for the best
calming method to suit your pet.