-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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- I see from their home site [ www.thundershirt.com ] that it's gentle pressure body wrap of sorts. Very cute.
If your dog like firm cuddles, I can see how that could really help as the concept is similar to what an autism PhD, Temple Grandin developed for her own anxiety as a student.
Some stray thoughts:
I am not terrified of thunder storms but I can see how others might think so because they cause me so much horrible pain and vertigo, etc.
With an inner ear condition and lyme & co. - and startle trigger seizures - I know why I simply dread - dread - dread - thunder storms.
Fortunately, they are rare where I live (maybe 2 or 3 a year). But there is no way I could live back in the mid-west again (at least not until lyme & co. were really out of my life).
Might your dog have any TBD or inner/ middle ear (vestibular) stuff?
Might there be some kind of seizure reaction (if so, dogs on a gluten-free diet have seen improvement). If a seizure reaction on some level, the dog may hate the hugging vest (or love it).
Might a homeopathic for anxiety help relieve symptoms? Nutrients? Acupuncture? Massage?
Be sure the dog gets enough TAURINE. Check the food labels to be sure it's there.
If there's a holistic vet or an herbalist vet around, they may have some suggestions that could help. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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linky123
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She's kind of a mess and has lots of issues. My daughter used to volunteer at the Humane Society walking the dogs etc.
They had busted this guy who was breeding these poor dogs and abusing them.
Anyway, my daughter saw this little dog and wanted to rescue her.
We think she probably spent the first two or three years of her life in a cage.
She is also still afraid and cowers even though we've had her for about four years now and have never laid a hand on her.
I took her to doggie charm school where she was 'at the bottom of the class.'
She made some progress, but is just too damaged, IMHO, to ever be 100%.
We love her more than anything tho'. She is really cute, and has a wonderful personality, is also a great companion for our older dog.
He also came from the shelter and has some 'emotional problems.'
I will check into the suggestions you gave. We try to give her good food when we can afford it.
It have never really looked at the label to see what nutrients are in it.
Have never thought of seizures, ear problems etc.
We always know when a thunderstorm is coming, because she sits in an almost catatonic state and drools. Won't eat or sleep.
It's so pitiful; when I saw the thundershirt, I thought it might work for her.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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Keebler
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- Oh, the shirt may still work very well and it may be enough. Hope so. It's just that with the way storms affect me, I got to wondering.
How very sad about the abuse. That, alone, can cause so many problems but my mind steers first to
adrenal support.
Since she can tell in advance of a storm, it could be an ear thing, especially with the state she goes into.
That's how I am with storm systems. I just feel so very ill in so many ways (but others would see that as anxiety, I suppose).
The thundershirt might work for her. I'd sure give it a try.
I could not begin to suggest what kinds of nutrient support but if you can't get to or find a ND equal in animal terms, there are a couple excellent websites - professional and with certified herbalists or the like.
Likely there is someone trained in doggie acupuncture - and could teach you acupressure points. Doggie massage - perhaps for the belly - might calm the nerves in the belly that are triggered by inner ear stress (forget that nerve name).
Even some reader comments on non-professional sites can give you some clues to explore.
I'm sorry to toss all other kinds of things at you
I do think that lyme should be considered, though. Even in light of the past abuse, these symptoms around thunder storms can be due to lyme.
A gluten-free diet may be the first thing to try. I researched that for a couple different friends who had dogs with anxiety &/or seizures. There seems to be a huge problem with dogs and gluten but it's not widely addressed.
Food additives, even "natural" flavors, too, in their food can be just as neuro-toxic and excitatory.
So glad to hear she has you and all the love you have to give. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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randibear
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My randi was also terrified of storms. We had her since she was 7 weeks old and she was spoiled rotten. Absolutely loved and petted on all the time. She didn't walk until she was a month old cause we carried her so much
Why she was i don't know but we got used to holding this 78 pound dog during any storm.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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linky123
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posted
Randi,
Isn't it amazing what we will do for our 'babies?'
I love labs. My Dad had one and she was the sweetest dog. A great companion for him as he got older.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
I'm skeptical that it would help very much. Our border collie had a traumatic experience with HUGE fireworks when he was "young." We had just come home from out of town and let him out in the front yard. He heard the BOOMS from our city's 4th of July celebration (just down the hill from us) and took off running.
He ran all night long through a rugged canyon. We thought he was gone forever. We drove all over, looking for him. We called him the next morning and could not find him. Later I called him again and he came out of his doghouse in the back. (we had left the gate open for him just in case)
He was so exhausted that he just COULDN'T come out when called earlier. He was FULL of cactus and TICKS. Seed ticks all over him.
He could not walk up a few stairs in our house for days because he was so SORE!
Ever since that time, he just totally lost it when a thunderstorm would come. Making matters worse, we lived on the Gulf Coast most of his life! It stormed OFTEN!!!
We had to tranquilize him but it got so that didn't help much either. Some nights he would get so scared he would end up on top of me in the bed. He would try to put himself on my HEAD! Oh yeah, I got lots of sleep that way!!
I guess he thought that the closer he was to my HEAD, the closer he was to ME!!
Let me know if you buy this and it works. I'm curious.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Kudzuslipper
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Member # 31915
posted
I have heard great things about the thunder shirt. It is worth a try. one of my dogs is afraid of storms...but is fine if he can be near us. There is also a product called DAP. It comes in a spray and a diffuser... It supposedly simulates a canine mothers pheromones and produces a calming effect. We tried it, it made a tiny difference...
The other thing I heard is, it is actually the electricity in the air they feel and not the noise (but i know we all jump when therre is a big crack) So rubbing your pup with a bounce dryer sheet can eliminate the static.
Good luck. It so sad when something is wrong with our pets. Wish they could talk.
Posts: 1728 | From USA | Registered: May 2011
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posted
For my dog, it was definitely the NOISE! Not to say that the electricity in the air did not affect him. He could tell when a storm was coming way earlier than we could.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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RDaywillcome
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posted
I bought two and it doesn't work for either one of my dogs. I adopted this poor dog from a pound who was abused and when I talked to the people at the pound, they told me about the thunder shirt but it doesn't seem to work for her but neither does meds. which I HATE USING and if you don't give it to them early enough before the storm, they still act out.
Unfortunately, it has my other dog reacting to her neurotic antics. I have heard it works for many though, so it might be worth it for you.
We had a trip to the vet. for a nail trim and both dogs had them on and they both were still acting out and everyone in the waiting room thought the vest were so cute and asked about them and we all had a good laugh when we told them what we used them for.
Posts: 1738 | From over the rainbow | Registered: Jul 2009
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linky123
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Well, it's probably worth a try. Now I'm trying to decide between a small and a medium.
She is right in the middle as her weight and chest measurement overlap between the two sizes.
She is about the size of a beagle but is kind of chubby. She may just be a little too fat for a size small.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- With history of physical abuse, there could have been damage to the brain &/or ear structure.
That happens with a lot of children who have been hit upside the head. It can change their sensory "stuff" (word freeze) for life. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Andie333
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posted
I have a cockapoo--very awesome pup but a relentless barker during thunderstorms. We were at our wits end and bought him a thunder shirt.
Like RDay, the shirt didn't seem to do anything to help comfort him or mitigate the barking.
Chicken works, fed by hand. At least it distracts him until the storm passes.
Here's the thing: they do offer a full money-back guarantee, so you really don't have anything to lose.
Hopefully, you'll have more success with it than we've had.
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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glm1111
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Great story Toots! Your collie sound so cute. Love the sitting on the head story. I have had dogs all my life, but haven't had one for about 10 yrs.
I on the other hand could use one for myself. i am PETRIFIED of LIGHTENING since I almost was struck 3 times as a kid and it was witnessed by my girlfriend.
The first time I was running from her house to mine (we lived in a row house) It was storming and the lightening was jumping across the lawn after me. The second time I was almost hit when it was storming and I just made it in the back door.
I saw it come close when I glanced over my shoulder and my girlfriend also saw it. The outside door was aluminum and attracted the lightening.
The third time was when it started storming unexpectedily and i was getting out of a public pool. It hit the metal railing i had my hand on just as I lifted my hand off of it.
I literally start shaking when it starts storming and run to put on my sneakers. I know it's pathetic, but oh well, I guess I'm not perfect I am going to ask them if they can custom make me a Thunder shirt.
Gael
-------------------- PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS* Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008
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Dogsandcats
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We bought one for our springer spaniel. After I wrestled her into what my hubby called a straight jacket....the dog bucked around like a bronco ready to be ridden.
Her problem is barking, and yes while she was jerking around trying to pull off the Velcro, she did stop barking.
It all lasted maybe three minutes, most of which was me trying to put it on. Going back.....
Maybe if two people were putting it on the dog in a more CALM fashion we wouldn't have looked like a rodeo.
-------------------- God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.
Billy Graham Posts: 1967 | From California | Registered: Oct 2010
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linky123
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Oh my, Gael. What are the odds?
Tutu, we always knew you were a head case.
With the money back guarantee, I think it's worth it. Petsmart here has them so I can at least try it on for size.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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momintexas
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My yellow lab would begin pacing and panting heavily any time a storm was brewing.
My vet felt it was due to the barometric pressure changes. He told me to give her benadryl.
It worked really well for her.
I know someone else who has a dog that gets upset during storms and if she rubs a dryer sheet across the dog, it calms her down. I have no idea why.
Posts: 1408 | From Tx | Registered: Nov 2009
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linky123
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Hadn't thought about the benadryl - good idea. Our other dog eats bees, (yes, you heard me right).
When he gets stung, we give him benadryl which takes down the swelling and knocks him out for a time.
Someone mentioned the static in the air around a thunderstorm, so the dryer sheet would help that.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
Yes, I'm a head case!! Our doggie weighed 35 lbs, so having him on top of my face was really great.
PS.. I forgot to mention that our border collie had bleeding foot pads. That's how we knew he had run all night long. He probably got lost too for awhile. The canyon was called Panther Canyon for good reason. We were lucky to get him back!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Dogsandcats
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I give our spaniel one benadryl for her itching....doesn't faze her. Afraid to up it and have pass out for days. Course if she was sleeping I could get the thunder shirt on her peacefully.
-------------------- God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.
Billy Graham Posts: 1967 | From California | Registered: Oct 2010
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linky123
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Tutu, I am so glad you got your baby back.
Dogs, I think the dose is one benadryl tablet per 25 lbs of dog. I would have enjoyed seeing the rodeo.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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Ellen101
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I know someone who uses the thunder shirt and it worked wonders on her dog!
Posts: 1748 | From United States | Registered: Dec 2011
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I bought one for our jack russel because of fireworks and I returned it the next day. I came home & found him stuck inside the kitchen cabinet !
Posts: 71 | From milford, connecticut | Registered: Mar 2007
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linky123
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Just to let you guys know, we got the Thunder Shirt and have used it several times on the dog.
It's not a 100% cure-all, but has taken the edge off for her.
She doesn't panic like she used to and can eat and sleep.
I also left it on her the other night; it was cold out and she sleeps outside.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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Carol in PA
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Although I haven't tried it, I've read good things about using Bach Flower Remedies to calm pets.
They make one for animals.
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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linky123
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Carol, thanks, that's good to know.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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We had adopted a dog from a rescue league a number of years ago, he was the most wonderful dog. He was a German Wired Haired Pointer, he was the best boy except for when a storm came rolling through.
He would tremble, have accidents, just to name a few of the behaviors. We had an extremely stormy summer one year and we were at our wits end with him.
We called a company called "Bark Busters" they are basically dog psychiatrists. What we learned is that the last thing we should do is try to comfort him. He needed strong leaders.
They taught us how to train these things out of him. It works for all bad behavior.
When the dog is doing something bad what you have to do is with your chin pointed up, growl "baahh" and when they stop the behavior, praise them with a high pitched good boy, or girl.
If they don't respond to the bah you add the snap. And that is a baggie of pennies slammed on the floor. That gets their attention.
We have used these technics for years with all of our dogs. People tell us all the time how lucky we are to have had such great dogs. It's not about luck, it's about being a strong leader!
Posts: 845 | From Northeast | Registered: May 2011
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linky123
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Kind of like the dog whisperer! I'm afraid I'm not a very strong leader, but will try what you recommend.
I am so envious of people who have well-trained dogs.
Our dogs have bad manners, bad habits, and bad breath.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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Haha! Anyway the idea behind it is that the dog will take the leadership role in the pack, if the people aren't "strong leaders". Some dogs can handle that responsibility, most can't and they are terrified. So really, it makes them much happier if they know their place, and of course they always want to please us. Good luck Posts: 845 | From Northeast | Registered: May 2011
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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linky123
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-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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