Valium??

Valium is a controlled substance and honestly, I've never found that it works all that well for stuff like that.

Valerian root (a couple of capsules is fine for your girls each) plus 2 tabs each of Calms Forte should help. 

If you get the non-alcohol tincture of valerian it works far faster (like in 5 minutes or so) -- mine will take that straight from the dropper (it's sweet) or you can put it in a bit of peanut butter (very little)

 Human Valium? You can give that to dogs?

You can but it is HIGHLY addictive, and it **is** a controlled substance.  We gave it to Kee near the end and it literally made her into a puddle.  She was just a limp nothing when she had to take it.  If you give them enough to get past the anxiety it's going to make them a zombie.

I'm talking about giving the valerian **WITH** the Calms Forte.  And giving a substantial amount of the valerian with the Calms.  One won't work. 

I cannot believe the Ace isn't working.  From what I've read on the chow board that is a pretty strong drug.  It is the one the commonly use to sedate chows at home before vet visits.  Maybe the dose is just too low-I'd call the e-vet to see if you can up it.  That stuff should be knocking them out!

 Some dogs don't respond to Ace,while for others even a small dose will have them flat out. Aesop doesn't respond to even the highest dose.

Dogs can have Valium. We have a little Shih Tzu who boards at work who only responds to Valium and does take it for anxiety during storms.  I would certainly get a dose from your vet though.

 Ace doesn't work if the storms are already audible to the dog.  You have to give it far enough in advance of the storm.  Also, drugging your dog repeatedly is not the best solution.  A good system of desensitization and counter-conditioning might help.  http://www.helpingfido.com/sounds-dog-thunder.htm  Worth a try!  More info here, and some hints for dogs that don't respond to other interventions: http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_FearOfThunder.php

Have you tried the Thundershirt?  http://www.thundershirt.com/      I know a lot of people who have had success with it----did not work for us, but I have heard very positive things from others.

Callie is right---the valerian needs to be paired with the Calms Forte, at least in my experience---using one without the other had no effect.  I have had mixed results with the valerian/calms forte mix, as well---worked great for one dog , but did nothing for our latest rescue.  She has responded really well to the Composure liquid and chews-----worth checking out---she sleeps through thunderstorms, now. 

erica1989

and Grab is right about the ace. Casey did not respond AT ALL to the higher end of his dosing weight range. Dahlia, on the other hand, is straight knocked out by it.

Yep...ACE seems to be an all or nothing and from what I understand the dogs adrenaline response can easily overcome it. This is why it's really not that useful when a dog is already keyed up. Even a heavily dosed dog can react in a fight or flight manner on Ace, from what I have read and personally experienced.

willowchow

I cannot believe the Ace isn't working. 

Sometimes they have the reverse effect with it. I've had two dogs go "nutty" on the Ace.