[Murphys Dad]

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.

 

[Murphys Dad]

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.

 

[Murphys Dad]

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]

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.

 

[Murphys Dad]

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.

 

[Murphys Dad]

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]

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.