Hysterical Collie with fireworks and thunder. HELP!

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bushbaby28

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Hiya,

my 7 year old Collie has always been hysterical when it comes to loud noises (fireworks and thunder and now heavy rain!). For the past 2 years we have had tranquelisers from the vets but last night he had 3 and was STILL absolutely hysterical. He apparently occasionally flopped so they were working but he was fighting it as he was so worked up.

We have always ignored it, turned tv up, made sure he's had a big meal so hes full, long walk, distraction etc etc. but last night my mum couldn't even sit down as he climbs all over you.

Wondering if its worth asking the vet about totally sedating him (only on worse night i.e. if fireworks on a weekend). Has anybody else had to do this?

xx
 
I used to do that years ago but hated it so went down a different route.

Desensitising well in advance, months not days. To help with de sensisting there are some sound files on the Border Collie Rescue site. And a Tellington Touch Anxiety wrap in conjunction with some massage techniques (I went to a half day workshop to learn this). You can now get a product called a Thundershirt which seems to work in the same way as the wrap and people have been giving it good reports this year.

Much sympathy for you, there's nothing more horrible than watching your dog in such distress :((
 
thanks ladyearl. We've got a towel rug that we originally used for cooling off after agility but is also perfect as a wrap as its thin and can just tie right round!! Would definately recommend them for dogs with any kind of anxiety as really helps Finley in most situations. We call it his 'special rug' lol. He loves it.

Hopefully we should be safe until new years eve now. But want to get something in place for next year as bonfire night will still be on a weekend so will start desensitising now! We got a cd ages ago but it didn't seem to make a difference as I think it might be the vibrations in the air or the high pitched sounds which don't come up on the cd.
 
Good luck with it all it's a horrible thing. I wish they would just have organised displays then you can plan and it's over in half an hour or so. It's all the noises all night that are a pain. My cats were ignoring them for most of the night and one was looking at the colours but eventually they started to look at me for every bang!
 
My dog is the same, I have him in an anxiety wrap at the mo plus I have sprayed him with 2 different dog calming sprays from forest farmacy, he is quiet under my bed and has just eaten his bonio I gave him.It will never go away, his fear and I have tried all the de sensitising techniques etc but this is for him the best thing so far.He was a different dog when I put his wrap on and it takes the edge off his fears.
You have my sympathy, 3 days & nights on the trot and many weeks before hand we have had fireworks it is like the blitz out there now and it is so loud it is setting all the car alarms off down the road.
 
One of my Collies is the same.I have tried sedatives but that did not work.The Vet prescribed 40mg of Diazepam which i felt,as a registered Nurse,is a large dose for a dog.It just made him drowsy but failed to alleviate the anxiety associated with fireworks.I now try to wear him out,and then ensure he has a quiet den in the house to hide under.I do not try to pacify him too much to avoid reinforcing the anxiety.My other Collie does not give a dam and will happily stand outside barking and watching the wretched displays.
 
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