Overview of Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Pets suffering from separation anxiety exhibit a wide variety of symptoms. They engage in destructive behavior, bark excessively, suffer from panic attacks and often cry and injure themselves when they’re left alone. although the cause of separation anxiety remains unknown in some pets, dogs that have been rescued from shelters generally suffer from this condition. Apart from this, if you have been spending plenty of time with your pet and he has become overly dependent on you, he will show signs of separation anxiety when you leave him alone for a couple of hours. any change in your routine can also trigger off the symptoms of separation anxiety.
Symptoms of Separation Anxiety
All pets suffering from separation anxiety appear anxious and afraid. They often chew or bite their own skin due to boredom and fear of being alone and may destroy furniture or objects lying around the house. Research indicates that pets suffering from separation anxiety are also likely to get extremely disturbed when they’re suddenly startled by thunderstorms or loud noises. They may also urinate or defecate in unusual places. Separation anxiety shouldn’t be confused with behavioral problems. although the symptoms of the two conditions are almost similar, dogs suffering from separation anxiety require proper medication that will help them calm down. Obedience training will also help to a great extent but most pets will need medication to get relief from the symptoms they exhibit.
Treatment of Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Some of the most common drugs that are prescribed to treat separation anxiety in dogs include Clomicalm and Fluoxetine. Clomicalm falls under the class of drugs termed as tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs alter serotonin imbalances in the pet’s brain and alleviate the symptoms of separation anxiety and other behavior problems. Fluoxetine on the other hand is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that works to increase the amount of serotonin present in the dog’s brain. Apart from these two drugs, the vet may also prescribe amitriptyline to control separation anxiety. Since these medications are prescription drugs, you must discuss the pros and cons of administering them to your dog, with the vet.
Dosage and Administration
In most cases dogs suffering from separation anxiety require 0.5 to 1.5 mg of Clomicam per pound of body weight once a day or every 24 hours. while the dosage and administration instructions for Fluoxetine are always determined by the vet, dogs are generally administered 0.5 to 2 mg of Amitriptyline per pound of body weight every 12 hours. Since each dog reacts differently to these medicines, you need to ask your vet about the dose that’s right for your pet. an overdose is dangerous and can be fatal. You must therefore read all instructions that are listed on the medication you buy and follow them meticulously.
Medications that are prescribed for separation anxiety in dogs have various side effects. Most medicines shouldn’t be combined with other monoamine oxidase inhibitors, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants or medications that are used to control seizures. You should also keep the vet informed about any other medicines (over the counter drugs/herbal remedies) that you regularly give your pet. This will help the vet determine if any possible drug interactions could take place. If the pet exhibits any side effects like facial swelling or allergic reactions after taking any of the medications listed above, contact the vet at the earliest.
Home Remedies for Dog Separation Anxiety .
There are several things you can do at home to prevent your pet from suffering from a panic attack when you leave. Since most dogs feel lonely and bored, leave a few toys around the house along with food, water and healthy treats. Keep the window blinds open so that your pet can look outside. This will prevent him from feeling abandoned or confined. Also leave the radio on so that the pet doesn’t sense the silence around the house. Some vets and experts recommend the use of a crate to help the dog feel safe and secure. although not ideal, crate training is beneficial if the dog is left inside for only one hour. once you return home, you must let the dog out of the crate and take him outdoors to urinate and defecate.
Dealing with Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Although there are medications that help control the symptoms of separation anxiety, don’t solely rely on them to keep panic attacks at bay. Instead, consider keeping your pet at a boarding facility when you’re away.