Firework Time

As the time for fireworks draws closer I have been looking at medication for Maddie, the vets recommend Calm-eze, at 80p or 90p a tablet, he wasn`t sure. 1 tablet twice a day, I thanked him and said I would call to order some, I went on-line and a box of 18 is £3-40 on ebay, there is only 1 strength, as we have been suffering a few thunder storms this week, they have the same effect on Maddie as fireworks I have started her on them, let you know how she goes.

 

It wouldn't even be so bad if it was just the one night but it seems to go on forever, especially where we used to live in London. From October right through till after New Year there was always fireworks going on somewhere within earshot, not to mention all the weddings and other celebrations that had to end with a firework display throughout the year. Luckily we don't have that problem where we are in France and Tiffy isn't too bad with either thunder or fireworks - she just makes a little 'den' behind the sofa. With other dogs we've had to use DAP diffusers, Rescue Remedy and Serene-um tablets all at the same time with only minimal effect. Fingers crossed the Calm-eze works for Maddie. It's horrible seeing them a shivering wreck, isn't it?

 

its such a shame for them isnt it x my lurcher hides under the desk x

 

The problem appears to be at the moment, she is so stressed out by the thunder storms she goes into a shivering wreck at the slightest sound, things she would normally ignore, I have made her a darkened room she can go into whenever she wants. I gave her 2 lunch time and she slept all afternoon, ate her meal and no noticeable effects, at the moment she is lying by the hall door as she heard something, but I don`t want to give her another until about 8 p.m.. Then I will give her 1 in the morning and 1 early evening, so she gets them into her system and increase to 2 early evening as November 5th gets closer.

 

Ozzy isn't really that bothered by fireworks - at least, I don't recall him being too bad.
Thunder storms are a completely different matter! Couldn't find him this morning (and I was up in the early hours) and eventually discovered him under the dining table. He doesn't shake or show any other outward signs of distress, but he won't go out for the toilet and he wouldn't eat until after it had all passed and the sun came out

 

The vet offered me sage advice, a darkened room, do not react yourself, and ignore the dogs stress, do not cuddle or the dog thinks it`s being rewarded, politely pointed out I have had greyhounds for 30+ years, just wanted to know if there was any new thinking on it.

 

Instinctively did all of that Pam ... but, you've reassured me I wasn't being a meanie to him

Good for you for asking though in case of new thinking; plenty of people wouldn't with your experience and would just assume they knew it all already.

 

Could you car-cam that please

 

No pictures means ... it never happens

 

I don't mean to be a kill joy but I really do think they shouldn't sell them until the 5th of November seen as that's supposed to be Guy Fawkes night,if people want them bad enough they'd have to queue up for them on the day..I'm lucky so far, my two furry lads aren't fazed by them,good job seen as they've been going off for the last week or so saying that my old furry lad didn't bother until he was about 7 years of age...I can't remember the pills we got for him plus the 'plug ins' but I can remember him being in an awful state,with and without the sedatives...I tried everything from making a den under the stairs for the both of us, to playing music to sooth him.I tried not to react to the situation but he must have sensed I was just as distressed just watching him even though I was trying to chill so as not to draw attention to it....

 

I do get the 'don't react to them' thinking and I've applied that to most of the dogs I've had and let them find their own safe space but one little old staffie boy was so terrified that I had to lie on top of him when fireworks were going off or he would have destroyed the house and hurt himself in the process. It was another oldie staffie cross that taught me that as that is what she did to him when he was having a really bad panic attack when fireworks were going off. But then I suppose me totally smothering him was his safe space in the end. He was like that for years till he went deaf.

Stanley after being calmed down by Maisie during a fireworks night

 

I am on the "only organised events" side.