Thunder Storms

Just a note of caution.... IF this dog has seizures, be very, very careful with anything that has any kind of sedative effect. It varies by the individual, but my Emma couldn't take valerian. It caused her to seize. She had epilepsy, and had frequent seizures throughout her life. Triggers vary, by the dog.

 :)

     She has never had a seizure before. I don't know if that would do any harm or not I am thinking about getting her a crate because I don't have one.  She has only been with us a couple of times during a storm.

calliecritturs

Valerian, passion-flower, St. John's Wort -- all 3 are really good for this (all 3 are "nervine herbs" - relaxants essentially). 

However -- for storm phobia get the tincture, not the "capsules" of the ground herb.  Tincture works faster -- and try, if you can, to get one in glycerite rather than alcohol based -- merely because it's more pleasant to take.

Sorry, I wasn't clear enough -- ALL of those are human things.  To be honest i **NEVER** use a 'dog' thing if the human version is available for all the reasons Myra mentioned.  dog stuff can be notoriously bad quality and herbals aren't "regulated" so you DO want to buy the best quality you can get. 

Wal-Mart however, actually has a GOOD quality herbal.  You won't find it online - just go in the store to the aisle where the vitamins & herbalsl are (usually they are together).  You can at least get valerian there.

If you want to try the homeopathics like Calms Forte you usually have to go to a health store.  Calms Forte is actually formulated for human babies but I know TONS of adults who use it because it's simply the best non-habit forming sleep aid you can buy.

Valerian is merely a relaxant - it does't make you go to sleep.  the Calms Forte is more apt to encourage sleep.  However -- for the dog that is truly wound up you *can* safely use them together.

Honestly -- since you are have a period of many storms right now -- DO try the "storm party" idea.  I'll see if I can find it and link it in for you.  It's simply using something super yummy to reinforce the flash & boom of the storm with something good and at the same time YOU can demonstrate confident, happy feelings to the dog so it sees that YOU don't fear the storm.  It takes a bit of play-acting on your part, but honestly it really can work wonders. 

  Ok, so I will get Valerian from Walmart for humans. I now have time to get it because a cool front was coming in and now its blue skies, chilly and dry.  You can show me a link any way, but you don't have to. Anyways, that will give me a brake from having to worry about getting it really soon.  I'll probably get it the next time I go to Walmart, which will be in a few days.

jennie_c_d

Just a note of caution.... IF this dog has seizures, be very, very careful with anything that has any kind of sedative effect. It varies by the individual, but my Emma couldn't take valerian. It caused her to seize. She had epilepsy, and had frequent seizures throughout her life. Triggers vary, by the dog.

Jennie - I'm going to guess that Emma's reaction to valerian was more her liver issues than merely seizures b/c typically they will prescribe valium (or valerian as the herb alternative) FOR seizures to prevent cluster seizures.  But both valerian and valium (the pharmaceutical) are processed secondarily BY the liver so they are considered "harder" on the liver than other things.  Pirate also has liver problems and can't do valerian but he DOES take passionflower with no problems (and that's always the alternative that Dr. D and Dr. F suggest for him to keep him from clustering after he's seized once.

ADog'sBestFriend

     She has never had a seizure before. I don't know if that would do any harm or not I am thinking about getting her a crate because I don't have one.  She has only been with us a couple of times during a storm.

For a dog used to a crate it can be heaven sent.   Dogs are den animals and it can really help them if they are ok with a crate.  If you don't have one I'd try one for her -- they can be awesome for a fearful animal but it sounds like you may not know her history so watch her carefully and train her TO the crate before you leave her for any period of time in it.

STORM PARTY links (some really good stuff in these for you)

Thunderphobia post

Storm Party description (there are two posts about "storm party" in that thread -- but a lot of it is in your attitude during it to turn 'fearful' into 'fun' -- and that's really the goal.  It can really increase your dog's "trust" in you a LOT to do this.)

Emma took valium, just fine, Callie. She seizured on valerian, twice, and I never gave it to her, again. Skullcap did the same thing, and I quit trying. I just gave valium when she needed it.

jennie_c_d

Emma took valium, just fine, Callie. She seizured on valerian, twice, and I never gave it to her, again. Skullcap did the same thing, and I quit trying. I just gave valium when she needed it.

See -- this is good information.  ANY buddy (human or animal) can be sensitive to ANY thing (and it may or may not make sense).  fresh cut basil gives me hives -- cooked basil is pretty much ok for me long as it's been cooked a while (like in tomato sauce). 

I've not used skullcap myself (i take it in a blend, but I've never used the straight herb) -- but I use passionflower and I know Pirate (slr2meg's dog) takes that with no ill effect (and he can't take valerian either).

I know I'm a day late and a dollar short on this topic....sorry.

Bruder is extremely noise phobic.  Thunder, fireworks, gunshots...anything.

If a storm is coming, Valerian Root is the staple around here.  Calms Forte works well too...I don't give them together.  Calms seems to work for Heidi's separate issues....anxiety.  Bruder prefers his crate and will place himself in it for safety.

When Bruder is SO scared that he is shivering  and trembling....he comes into the living room and he places himself right between Rick and myself....thats where he feels safest.  We don't coddle him, or speak to him....we just watch TV, talk amongst ourselves, etc.  No big deal energy is felt from us.  When we can see that he feels safe is as comfortable as he can be, we'll give him a ear scritch or a bit of a love pat and thats it.

    That is good information. So should I give Joy Valerian and see how she reacts to it or shall i get a different herb to be on the safe side?

 I will probably get her a crate soon. I hope that Joy finds a place where she feels safe during thunderstorms.

Valerian should be fine -- and it's easy to get.  Just get the tincture (the speed it works is worth it) and you'll be fine.

A crate is an awesome tool -- just TRAIN the dog to it -- it takes some time.

 Ok that sounds great, I'll get the tincture the next time I go to Walmart most likely. Thank you. :)

ADog'sBestFriend

 Ok that sounds great, I'll get the tincture the next time I go to Walmart most likely. Thank you. :)

Nope -- Wal-mart ONLY carries the herb capsules (I think I said this above, or should have) -- the tincture you GOTTA get from a health store. 

 Oh, whups I think you already told me that. Sorry . Soon I'll go to a health store or somewhere where it is sold.