Treating Canine Panic Attacks

1. Treating Canine Panic Attacks Dog parents go to unimaginable extents for ensuring that their beloved companions are protected from pain or suffering of any kind. They sacrifice their personal outings in order to ensure that their Fido’s are never left alone. Not only this, they even go on to ignore their basic needs like taking rest following office hours in order to go out and play with their canines which pleases our friends to no end. However, one important factor which dog owners sadly don’t realize about the behavior of their furry companions is the threat they face from panic attacks caused due to different forms of anxieties. Dogs suffering from

2. noise anxiety attempt to bark hide or scratch at locked doors in order to obtain some relief from loud noises like ambulance sirens or even firecrackers and can get hurt badly in the process of hiding themselves. A dog that is battling separation anxiety can never be locked inside the house even for a short period of time as he may perceive it as a sign of being abandoned going on to destroy the house in order to find you at any cost. Such forms of anxiety are common amongst dogs that have been abandoned by their owners or families previously. Another common form of anxiety is Travel Anxiety where dogs exhibit a sense of panic or discomfort when expected to travel in uncommon forms of transport like cars or airplanes. Last but not the least; dogs are also affected by confinement anxiety which is caused in case dogs are forcibly instructed to reside within confined spaces. This is usually the case as dogs are more attuned genetically to living out in the open where they can stretch their legs and run around all day. Some of the most common symptoms exhibited by dogs suffering from panic attacks include trembling, panting, hiding and barking, shaking, whining, chewing paws, aggressive growling and dilated pupils. They are also unduly aggressive against their dog parents or even visitors as they perceive them to be potential threats capable of causing serious harm. Treating your dog’s mentality in such a scenario can prove to be a challenge. However, there are different measures which can be undertaken to treat a canine who is suffering from panic attacks: Take him to a Vet as soon as possible: It is necessary to get an informedopinion from a vet who enjoys experience in such cases for diagnosing the best method of treating such panic attacks. It is not necessary that the dog’s aggressive reactions are interlinked with a panic attack and may prove to be a reaction to a different stimulus. In several cases, a dog’s reactions may even be interlinked to a bad experience encountered as a child resulting in a defensive mentality. Attempt to Increase his Confidence: A dog is much less likely to react with fear in different situations if he considers himself confident enough to tackle them. A dog parent should attempt to boost his furry companion’s confidence by interacting with him

3. on a regular basis, playing with him, giving him treats on a frequent basis in case of good behavior so that he backs himself to react appropriately in different conditions. Such gestures of love and affection are bound to increase his confidence and reduce the chances of facing a panic attack. Ensure an active, exercise-rich lifestyle for your Fido: Your pet is less likely to entertain any negative thoughts or encourage fear to overpower his mind if he does not have the energy to do so. One should ensure a regular lifestyle which is full of strenuous exercises for your dog so that the mind is completely relaxed with the body exerted sufficiently as well. Take the medicinal route out: In certain cases, it is encouraged to consider the utilization of herbal and homeopathic medicines capable of delivering quick and effective results for your dog. At the same time, it is not advised to pursue a course of medicine not recommended by your vet. A pet owner should design a schedule which contains appropriate information over the necessary dosage and the different intervals involved. Covering him up in comfortable clothing: One can also aid in reducing the anxiety levels by wrapping the dog up in comfortable, well-fitting clothes like Thundershirt especially around the abdomen and chest. At the same time, it is necessary to guide your loyal Fido with the regard to the correct procedure of wearing, removing the shirt so that he does not injure himself needlessly. It is advisable to undertake the above-mentioned measures in order to protect your loyal companion from a panic attack which if not handled appropriately could prove to fatal in nature.