Jersey's Separation Anxiety

2988 Views 17 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Quesoart, Aug 5, 2007

Murphys Dad

Discussion Starter · Jul 29, 2007

Jersey's separation anxiety is getting worse. Today Mike went to get pizza for dinner and she was in a complete panic. She was whimpering and crying and then she just sat on the sofa and was breathing really hard. Not panting, but almost. For about 30 seconds she seemed to be in a trance. I kept calling her name and she was just staring out into space. Finally, I got her attention and she came and laid down by me.

I think I'm going to have to put her on Clomicalm again. I hate to medicate her, but she's not making any progress this way. She's only 2 and is already starting to lose her coloring around her eyes. I'm worried that it's from all of the stress and anxiety she feels. I'm at a real loss for what to do here. Part of me hates the thought of medicating Jersey again, but the other part of me hates seeing her like this. She needs her bordetella booster in the next two weeks, so I'll talk to my vet about it then.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

Gingergoose

· #2 · Jul 29, 2007

Medicating is never fun but if it makes her less anxious, I would say go for it.

You can bring it up to the vet when ya'll go in.

It must be heartwrenching to see her like that. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif

More hugs and kisses from Henry and I. :heart:

~Denise

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Melissa1701

· #3 · Jul 29, 2007

This must be a very difficult decision, I avoid medicating them unless necessary. Suzy was given Acepromazine EVERYDAY for two of the three years she was with her previous owner /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/mad.gif . If I were in your situation I would listen to the vet, if he says give her one tablet a day, try out the first day with half a tablet. Not knock her out, just calm her down. One tablet would make Suzy sleep all day before I got her, half a tablet kept her quiet, but still active. Good luck and keep us updated!

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Joe Johnston

· #4 · Jul 29, 2007

Jen,

I am sorry to hear Jersey's SA is not improving. It is very distressing for us humans when our Beags are not well.

I agress with you, that medicating may be the most desirable course of action, but sometimes it my be the only course to take.

Good luck when meeting with the vet. Give Miss Jersey at pat on the head from us. Tell Mike hi. :thumbup:

Murphys Dad

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 29, 2007

Thanks for the support guys. It's so hard to see her get that upset just because one of us (usually Mike) just ran out to get something. Suzy's Mom, I have given her acepromazine before. I don't remember the dosage, but some days it didn't even phase her. She'd get so worked up when we'd be getting ready to leave that the adrenaline in her system must have just over riden any effects the meds had. I had her on Clomicalm (Clomipromine) for about 6 months last year and she started to do OK when being left home alone. So we slowly weaned her from it and she still did OK. Then I went on vacation and left her with a friend (the one with her sister, Gidget) for 3-4 days and she went downhill from there. It's funny though, because I can leave and while she gets upset, she doesn't freak out the same way she does when Mike leaves. I think that's because I'm always leaving her at day care and everything in the morning so she's more accustomed to my leaving. I'll see what the vet has to say.

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sherocks

· #6 · Jul 29, 2007

So sorry to hear this. I'm sure Jersey will do fine. (She will probably take it better then you. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif )

~ T

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Murphys Dad

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 29, 2007

Aw, Jen -- so sorry to hear about Jersey's stress & yours! You know I am, unfortunately, quite familiar with dog anxiety attacks. I think we need to think about anxiety meds for dogs the same way we do for humans -- the meds correct something in the brain. We are not talking about sedation here. I would definitely discuss going back on the Clonicalm with the vet and I would dose her per the vet's advice as dose is related to weight. Let us know how it goes.

Murphys Dad

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jul 29, 2007

Aww-www, I feel badly for both Jersey & you. It has to be upsetting for everyone concerned. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif I can't offer any solutions 'cause it's been so long since we had just one dog, that this hasn't been a problem for us.

I'm a believer in doing what's necessary to keep our furkids comfortable, and if that involves some medication, so be it. Maybe you could work with a small dose of Clomicalm. I've been able to get the desired results for Li'l Girl's leaking with 1/2 the amount of PPA prescribed by the vet.

Please keep us posted.

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K & G

· #9 · Jul 29, 2007

I too, am sorry her SA has gotten worse. As you know, I'm going through the same thing on this end, with no real improvement in sight. Let us know what the vet says, and how she does.

jcfehr

· #10 · Jul 30, 2007

Poor Jersey /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif .... I'm wondering if Mike were the one to drop her off at daycare would she get used to it like she has with you? Too bad he goes so darn early .....

medicating is never fun. I use Acepromazine 25mg on my Madison who is 42 lbs when the fireworks happen around here and it knocks her out. I'm thinking you probably had a smaller dose. I can't even imagine giving it to her everyday like Suzy was on.....that's certainly no kind of life.

I hope your vet can give you some insight here !!

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Pegasus

· #11 · Aug 1, 2007

/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif
So sorry to hear about the seperation anxiety, I know it must be tough for you guys. Have you thought about doggie daycare? I know it is very expensive though, and sometimes you just need to get out of the house (dinner, movie, ect)..and this must be a lot of stress on you guys too.

Good luck, I kinda feel that if medication makes him become happier, more relaxed, that it is totally worth it. I almost got to that point with Snoopy b/c I would rather him be happy and medicated vs scarred all the time and not medicated.

Please keep us up to date

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Gingergoose

· #12 · Aug 2, 2007

Hi Amanda,

I think Jersey is a doggie day care student. How cool is that?

~Denise

Murphys Dad

Discussion Starter · #13 · Aug 2, 2007

Denise, you are correct, Jersey does attend doggie day care. She loves it. And I love taking her there. It is a little expensive, but it's worth it to me if she's happy.

Amanda, the incident I was talking about with Jersey occurred while I was still home with her. Mike had only gone out to pick up dinner and I was still with Jersey. That's the worst part of this. Even with me there, it's like her entire world comes crashing down around her when Daddy leaves. I have a DAP plug, maybe I'll get a refill for it and see if that helps keep her a little calmer during these times.

angelaH

· #14 · Aug 2, 2007

What a problem! I think if the medication works then it is probably best to give it. Is it only when your hubby leaves the house or if you do as well? Funny how she likes doggy day care, do you both take her there?
Whats the longest your hubby has gone out for? Does he give Jersey a treat on his return?
Hope you can get this sorted out.

Murphys Dad

Discussion Starter · #15 · Aug 3, 2007

Jen,

Sorry to hear that Jersey is still having such as hard time with SA. You know more about it than I do by now.

I was talking to Bradley's Mom (paralyzed beagle with SA) recently. She found a cure for Bradley's SA. It was a female lab named Emily they rescued. She has become Bradley's puppy sitter. They have been able to go out with Bradley going ballistic.

I can vouch that a second dog can really help with SA. Only you know if if fits your situation.

Murphys Dad

Discussion Starter · #16 · Aug 5, 2007

Joe, I have definitely considered a second dog. Financially, it's no problem. I'm just worried about two dogs in an apartment. I also worry that it won't help. I get scared that Jersey's anxiety will rub off on the new dog and I may end up with two dogs with SA instead of just one. I would like to dog sit for someone for a few days and see how Jersey reacts.

Pegasus

· #17 · Aug 5, 2007

Jen, I do hope you guys can find something to help Jersey...I know this is tough. Sorry I misread the first post, I was after a night shift and very tired...

Good luck
Manda

Quesoart

· #18 · Aug 5, 2007

Jen,
Poor Jersey!! Tippi went through something similar when she was about 2. Everytime Ron left the house she would position herself on the rug in our front hallway and stare at the door. Nothing I did helped, until one day I got one of Ron's shirts from the laundry basket and layed it next to her. She sniffed it and layed her head on it and immediately calmed down. Luckily, it was an old T-shirt, so each time Ron left I would put the shirt farther and farther from the front door and she would leave the front door and go lay near the shirt. One time she picked it up and carried it into the livingroom and dropped it in front of me, then layed down on it. Gradually, she got the idea that although Ron left each day for work, he indeed did come back each evening and little by little she calmed down. It took about six months, but it worked. Maybe something like that would work for Jersey.

Lora&Tippi
"My little dog. A hearbeat at my feet."
Edith Wharton

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