Fireworks Fiasco!

Re: Fireworks Fiasco!

Laura Ringsell — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:46:29 GMT

I have heard the same as you Steph re the ACP tablets, they still feel the fear but can't get away from it. Sounds like proper torture to me. We don't even stock them anymore, zylkene, adaptil collars and sounds scary cd's all the way for us. Wish they would ban the damn things from general sale and just keep them to organised events, they've been going off for weeks...

Re: Fireworks Fiasco!

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 19:20:52 GMT

One of the vets at my practice is very against phereomone therapy and zyklene, and swears by a homeopathic medicine called aconite. This is useful for acute stress. Give a 30c tablet, crushed and absorbed through the gums, or a 6c tablet every half hour.

I have heard 50/50 success rates with zyklene and adaptil.

Personally, I thin the most effective treatment is behavioural therapy.

So I would recommend diazepam for this year, and in the new year start sound desensitisation and counterconditioning, very slowly. It is rare that phobic animals will improve. Currently, their instinctual, calassical conditioned response is fear, so we must countercondition these animals to form another classical association: relaxation.

I have been ringing all clients that have previously and currently requested adaptil, feliway, diazepma, acp, zyklene etc, and if agreed, putting them on a list to be called in the new year to start behavioural therapy in preparation for next winter. I'm sure I'll only get good compliance off a few, but it is worth a go.

Re: Fireworks Fiasco!

KarenVN — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:46:07 GMT

Having tried adaptil collar and plug in, zylkene and skullcap and valerian with no effect it'll be diazepam this year for mine. I'm hopeful it will have some effect! :)

Re: Fireworks Fiasco!

Steph Smith BSc(hons) RVN — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 21:57:32 GMT

http://www.vetplus.co.uk/PDF/LEAF/calmex_leaflet.pdf

Re: Fireworks Fiasco!

Steph Smith BSc(hons) RVN — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 21:56:26 GMT

I think using an Adaptil collar with Zylkene is a great combo.

There's another nutraceutical called Calmex (made by VetPlus), bit like Zylkene but it's quicker-acting (works in an hour), and lasts for up to 4 hours as far as I can remember, and can be used WITH zylene and adaptil to try and knock it on the head on the actual night of Nov 5th.

I really hate dispensing ACP tablets As the practice is progressing we are dispensing them less and less. Some owners have become dependent on them because the effect appears to be a calming one (physically). I just think they are terrible, physically they are subdued but mentally I am sure they are still going cuckoo on the inside and unable to express it. What do you guys think...?

Re: Fireworks Fiasco!

Jacquelyn Smith — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 19:15:00 GMT

I am terrified of fireworks. I generally have two boomboxes/stereos each with a different heavy metal cd on. It drowns out the big bangs. Heard it works on pets too though mine have always been fine. I sometimes get valium and/or zopiclone too but this isn't good when working as I am dopey for days. Because of my phobia I can relate to the furries and the music does work unless I am so close to them that it doesn't drown them out.

Re: Fireworks Fiasco!

Katherine Spear — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 17:18:48 GMT

How about a thundershirt, have you tried one of them? :)

Re: Fireworks Fiasco!

JaneRVN — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:15:23 GMT

Same here! My rescue was scared of the dark and firworks. I did Zylkene and Adaptil first year and then just Adaptil after that and he was fine. I started the collars at the start of Oct before it started to get really dark at nights and then changed to a new one at the start of Nov and kept it on for 6 weeks.

Others find Rescue Remedy and Dorwest herbs stuff helpfu. I think it can be trial and error. Also your reaction is important, dont scold or over react let them hide if they want to. Wilson went under our bed which he never did. Providing a covered bed can help dull the noise.

Hope that helps, its all trial and error and prepping in advance if you can.

Re: Fireworks Fiasco!

shelly jefferies — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:55:23 GMT

I would recommend use a Adaptil collar and start zylkene asap!