Thunderstorms in Miami are just one of the perks of life in paradise. While hurricane threats are few and far between, T-storms are a seasonal luxury we can always count on. Problem is, some of my patients don’t share my appreciation for a good storm.
Thunderstorm phobia is a common (and understandable) behavior malady for many dogs. Cats seem to weather them well, but there not exactly given to public display of emotion. And while most dogs don’t warm to even the gentlest rumbling Bob Seger sound of thunder, some special cases respond by giving new meaning to the term, freaked out.
This behavior problem is not like most others. It has truly severe consequences. In vet school, one of my classmate’s dogs jumped out a [closed] fourth storey window. Luckily, she landed on the balcony two floors down—only a couple of fractures. Last year, I saw one of my neighbor’s dogs hit and killed by a car after he scaled an eight-foot cinder block wall to escape the sound of thunder.
I have two of these severe cases under my care at the moment. During this season (August through October) I see them at least once a week. Despite heavy medication, they still manage to hurt themselves.
Torn claws and broken teeth are typical, especially when their moms haven’t managed to race home in time to prevent an all-out assault on the heavy-metal crates these pups need. One of these dogs was in two days ago to have his tail amputated after he chewed the end to a non-healing, bloody stump. That’s fear.
Both dogs receive clomipramine (Clomicalm) and fluoxetine (Prozac). They also receive alprazolam (Xanax) or acepromazine on an as-needed basis. We’re thinking of playing with our drug protocols again, or simply upping the Xanax to use daily during the worst weeks of the season. Considering the damage they do to themselves, it’s worth a try.
Before embarking on the medications, and now as an adjunct to medical therapy, I have the owners play thunderstorm CDs daily while stroking and feeding their dogs. Although owner compliance is low on this method, I always recommend this to all my thunderstorm phobia cases, not just my worst.
The biggest problem? Most owners just don’t take the condition seriously enough. Some even think it’s funny that their dog hides in the bathtub or in the closet during bad storms. Many would never consider medicating their dog but still refuse to play the CDs. They think I’m absolutely out of my mind to suggest these things. Yet they won’t shy away from remarking on the dog’s problem when they bring them in for the third time with ripped up pads. Lost causes—the people, I mean.
It’s so sad to think some dogs respond so disproportionately to what should be a normal instinct: hide when it storms. I always wonder what bizarre changes must have occurred in their brains for this self-destructive response to kick in. I guess it’s no different from what people do to themselves to escape their depressions or psychoses.
Hopefully we’ll have new and better drug protocols on the horizon. Every year it seems I read something new on the subject. Maybe after Katrina, people are finally starting to wake up to the reality of storm phobia.
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What thunderstorm CD do you recommend? My 3 year old Vizsla recently developed thunderstorm/fireworks anxiety. He usually rips up the carpet and pees on the floor. If we're home he is trying to get in our laps and panting and crying like crazy. Currently I give him Acepromazine. We try to do fun things during storms like play ball and give treats but we haven't seen any improvements. My husband wants to crate him but I'm afraid he'll tear out his nails or crack his teeth trying to get out of the crate. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks and I love your blog!!!
Kelly September 22nd, 2006 07:38:00 PM
We've had the most success with Valium for our GSD. Ace didn't do anything but make her look stoned, and Xanax seems to be too powerful. The Xanax makes her wobbly and disoriented, but she remains alert enough to try to walk around, and I'm afraid she'll hurt herself. Valium seems to help take the edge off, without turning her into a zombie. The big problem we have with her during thunderstorms is that she gets so frightened she loses bladder control, and I know that upsets her -- the Valium definitely helps her with that problem.
Her thunderstorm phobia has worsened as she's aged. I know she's suffered a lot of hearing loss, so fireworks aren't nearly as bad as they used to be, but thunder still terrifies her.
Leigh-Ann September 23rd, 2006 01:45:00 AM
The Sharper Image had some good weather CDs--don`t know whether these still exist. Check out itunes or Amazon. I`m sure you`ll find something loud and boisterous in the weather department.
Dr. Patty Khuly September 23rd, 2006 10:16:00 AM
Leigh-Ann: The reason we use Clomicalm on a regular basis is so that when we give the Xanax, Valium or Ace they don`t get so totally stoned. We can actually give much less of hese sedatives when Clomicalm is already on board. Consider it if her phobia is getting worse as she ages--that is, if the thunderstorms are frequent enough. Good luck.
Dr. Patty Khuly September 23rd, 2006 10:47:00 AM
I had heard that Ace was actually a rather unkind drug to use in these circumstances because it leaves the animal fully alert mentally but unable to move or move normally. Is that description of how Ace acts fairly accurate?
TTouch -- the touches or the bodywraps -- can be useful for some thunderstorm-phobic animals. Some animals are helped by wearing Anxiety Wraps(TM), and some are happier if the owner applies peppermint essential oil to the paw pads.
kabbage September 23rd, 2006 04:53:00 PM
When I used to live with Droo, he shook like he was having seizures during thunderstorms. We would get worried that he'd explode his heart because it raced so badly. Can a dog have a heart attack this way?
Dubin September 24th, 2006 11:58:00 AM
Ace is a tranquilizer that has good sedating capabilities. However, some dogs get dysphoric (unhappy and aggressive) when they take it. Dogs that with seizure disorders tend to seizure while on ace. It also drops their blood pressure. I try not to use it for these reasons.
On essential oils: A very recent study out of the UK shows that lavender oil placed on a cloth can reduce travel anxiety. Perhaps T-storm phobics can benefit, too.
Heart attacks are not common in dogs. However, some dogs with arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) can have serious rhythm changes triggered by stress. This can lead to what we commonly refer to as a heart attack.
Dr. Patty Khuly September 24th, 2006 12:09:00 PM
Diane: What a detailed description of your efforts. I honestly think your way is best--it`s just hard to get anyone to comply with the behavior mod. Everyone wants the quick fix first. I wish I had more clients like you. Love your blog (I`m adding it to my favorites).
Dr. Patty Khuly September 28th, 2006 03:58:00 PM
Nice article, very helpful. Thanks!!
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