Melatonin is it safe? Thunderstorms HELP!

[LBF]

Hi guys!

Looking for some help with my terrier mix who has started to get anxiety with the recent storms
He is 5 this year and never had an (apparent) problem with storms until this year. He never pants, even in this weather but when it storms he has been panting heavily, constant pacing, yawning, licking, shaking like a leaf, won't eat-which for him is a first! and he will hide under anything-but won't go in his covered safe place crate.
I make a point of not fussing.

It seems to be the lightening rather than the thunder itself, i get the feeling that he thinks it's just in the room he is in, thus the pacing. As I think its sight more than sound i don't feel that a desensitisation cd would have any effect. I understand thundershirt make a thundercap which i imagine is similar to a fly mask which might stop the arousal slightly?

Which leads me to... Melatonin.. Has anyone used this for anxiety? How did it work, did you visit your vet first and does it seem safe? I am thinking i can give it to him in food without him being able to associate with the storm itself?

I am eager to get on top of this as i understand it only gets worse not better

Any help/advice is greatly received!!

 

[splashgirl45]

I feel your pain as my lurcher is terrible with storms.... I have acp tablets from the vet but don't like using them as it makes her really wobbly..i have recently tried zylkene and it does make her relax a bit. without it she cries, pants, trembles and paces.....with it she doesn't cry at all and although still shakes and paces with a bit of panting its not as bad as she calms down quicker...if I know the storm is coming (or fireworks) and I can give it to her before she gets at all upset, she just stays in her crate and is much better...they are not cheap, I get mine from vetmedic and it was £16.20 for 20..

 

[Baileybones]

I'd tried most things and in the end bought a thunder shirt despite being sceptical. I knew there was a firework display on the Friday so had arranged to leave work early but hadn't banked on the local pub having a display on the Thursday! Came home and the town was lit up like a war zone and I could 'hear' my house as I parked!
Put shirt on my pointer anyway even though behaviour had already started and I promise you within 10mins he was asleep on the sofa!
Wouldn't have believed it if hadn't seen it!
Now I use it for all fireworks and thunder storms - different dog!

 

[Teaselmeg]

Never tried Melatonin, but with my noise phobic girl I used a Thundershirt and Serum Um tablets, but I also after several walks where there were crop scarers/shooting and all she wanted to do was run back to the car, I started giving her a yummy treat each time there was a bang and over time she started coming to me for a treat when there was a bang - result !! You have to start very low key as obviously if the dog is really stressed they won't take a treat, but I was amazed at how well that worked.

 

[LBF]

Thank you for your replies, it's nice to talk to fellow doggy people that understand!

Baileybones - Oh dear! It's horrible when you think they may have been at home stressing without you realising where did you buy your thundershirt from? Also mine hates wearing a raincoat (but hates the rain even more!) so I wonder how he would take to it, was your boy bothered about having it on? I have only ever really heard good reviews so I think I may go ahead and buy one.

splashgirl45- I hadn't heard of Zylkene before and you don't need a prescription by the sound of it either. I like the idea of it being herbal as well. Do you give it before the storm is due? Going to have a look at my local pet shop as having looked at my weather app we are supposedly due another storm on Saturday morning so here's hoping I can get something before then!

I'll be armed with all this stuff and probably never see another storm again

 

[splashgirl45]

I think zylkene is stocked by some vets, have not seen it in shops and if you order from vet medic the delivery is quick if you pay a bit more for 1st class post...

 

[lizzi2]

have used a homeopathic remedy called "Scutellaria" with my horse & dog when nervous - always helps in calming them, recommend rather than drugs!

 

[LBF]

Thundershirt purchased off Amazon, hoping it's here before the weekend! And I'm going past vets tomorrow, so going to have a look to see what they've got.

have used a homeopathic remedy called "Scutellaria" with my horse & dog when nervous - always helps in calming them, recommend rather than drugs!

Was this Scullcap and Valerian by any chance? Or just the flower in a pure form? I have heard of people using this too but I understand that it can take a few weeks to get in the system. If i remember correctly the liquid is faster acting?

 

[splashgirl45]

it may be worth trying everything as all dogs seem to respond differently,I tried skullcap and valerian as well and it made no difference to my lurcher....I also tried a thundershirt and it seemed to work the first time I used it and then didn't help in the future. aren't they a problem when they are scared, my collie cross who is younger than my lurcher is sensitive but has no problems with fireworks or thunder..good luck..