Biscotti's miserable Easter....

[Marty]

I know i have mentioned her thunderstorm fear before, but today took the cake! We had storms rolling through from 3 am this morn and they are still coming now at 9 pm. She hasn't eaten.....spent the time in the bathroom shivering...came out a few times to greet my son and MIL and went right back to the bathroom. I did everything I knew of to ease her fear...ran the shower, rubbed her wih a fabric softener sheet, Rescue Remedy, ignored her so as to not encourage this. I have actually seen her act worse, but not for such a long period of time. I dunno.....can a dog have a heart attack from so much stress?

[davet]

i have seen dogs die from the anxiety of thunderstoms but they were ones back in the kennel and were kinda on their own...theyhad no family to comfor t them and no placer to hide except in the runs...ones the kennel people who knew their history would take them in the house and hold them or consol them but ones that they had no idea were so afraid of stomrs did occaisionally conk out...i never heard of a home dog dying from thunderstorm fright cause at least they were in familiar surroundings...one of my own dogs paniced like yours but did good when she could get into a closet in the middle of the house where the noise was the least...i would not worry about loosing your dog as long as she has someone to consul her....

[Marty]

Thanks davet...the whole family was worried about her. The storms seem to have subsided a bit...she is still in the bathroom, but seems to be calmer. I appreciate your advice so much. ThankYou. and I will get back.

[JMM]

What about a sedative from the vet for days like that so she can relax and sleep it off. In her older years, Franny got more and more scared of storms. Usually she was okay if we let her out in the car (in the garage, door to the car and house open of course). When it stormed all day we gave her acepromazine.

[Marty]

Thanks for the replies...today was a bit better, but the threat was there.

JMM, thanks..I think I will ask her Vet for a sedative........we are coming into the season of storms and rain....and she is 9 yrs....and a rescue...

[JMM]

Marty, I wonder if older dogs get more sensitive. Franny was never so paniced in her younger days. I hope she gets through this storm season more comfortably.

[Marty]

It's possible that age aggravates it, but Bisc has always done this....I think it may be why she ended up in the shelter. When bad weather is threatening, she is like velcro if you try to go out the front door or in the garage (and being a hound, she and her nose will take off)). It's not a training issue either, because I did work with her when she was younger. There is just something about storms....well, sonic booms will send her flying across the yard and in the house as well...but that one tickles my funny bone, as it is over as soon as it starts!