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Post by yvonnedono on Apr 12, 2006 12:50:03 GMT -5
I have two pups around 2 years old. They have fear issues and are hyperactive sometimes. They are Sharpei/Lab mixes - brothers.
One problem in particular are the vet visits. The pups are very scared: they show their teeth, growl, pee and need to be muzzled - which the vet has us do when we're there.
We're hoping that a homeopathic remedy might help calm their anxiety.
Wer're also thinking about using a remedy for itching as one of the pups seems to have very sensitive skin.
Any thoughts on the use of homeopathic remedies - and any possible problems with the use of remedies while at a vet visit?
thanx....
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Post by Laura on Apr 12, 2006 20:25:37 GMT -5
The itchies are easy, switch them to a raw diet, or if that's not feasible, at least a grain free dry dog food. Innova Evo is one, and I believe Timberwolf Organics makes a grain free allergy formula. 90% of skin problems come from allergies, and your two are two breeds that can be prone to allergies, so a switch in diet should help. A little salmon oil in their food should help as well. As for the issues at the vets office, ity would be better to address the disease and not the symptoms , this is a behavior issue from a lack of socializing them at the vets office when they were pups. Start by taking them one at a time, having them together will only serve to make them more defensive as well as feed off each others fears. Take them to the vets office just to say hi, hang out for a few minutes, just relax in the waiting room. Have the dog do some simple obedience commands and reward with a really high value treat like bits of chicken or cheese (and use these treats ONLY when at the office). Make the visit fun and keep it short, and do this A LOT. And make sure you take them on a good, hard controlled leash walk prior to going each time, a dog thats exhausted won't be so reactive. Once you get them to a point of comfort with being in the waiting room, then see if the staff will let you go into an empty exam room to do more of the same. It will take a lot of time and some patience, but if you do this consistently and act like a leader when you take them to the vet, they should calm down significantly.
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Post by Aussienot on Apr 12, 2006 22:50:42 GMT -5
Think about it from the dog's point of view. Everytime they go into the vet's office, they get pricked, poked and prodded. It hurts, it reeks of " dog fear" smell, it's cold and it's unfamiliar.
Laura's advice was dead on. Change the association with the vet's office into one of quiet pleasure and much praise. Let your vet's office know that you'd like to work on the problem. Let the dogs leave the vet's office with a positive feeling many many times, and eventually their fear will lessen.
I have used Natures Remedy with my Lab Sailor, who can be fearful at times. It may help a little bit, but it's meant to be a suppliment to behavior modification, not a cure in itself.
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Post by amyjo on Apr 13, 2006 9:07:10 GMT -5
I dabble in homeopathy, I enjoy it...I even took a six month class in which I learned quite a bit. Here is the thing, the ladies above are correct. You have to treat the WHOLE animal. Take for example a patient whose blood pressure is sky high. Homeopathy can only help that patient just so much. Diet and lifetyle issues still need to be addressed. The patient cannot live on bacon and television and expect homeopathy to "fix" his PB issue. Same with your dogs. On top of what Laura and Linda suggested, I would add that you should exercise the snot out of them before each visit to the vet. If you still want to try treating them homeopathically, remember it is not a magic bullet.
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Post by amyjo on Apr 13, 2006 9:28:25 GMT -5
Having said all that, "Aconite" comes to mind.
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Post by yvonnedono on May 16, 2006 14:03:50 GMT -5
Any other suggestions of good brand names of homeopathic remedies?
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Post by sibemom on May 16, 2006 21:45:56 GMT -5
I agree with everything stated above Using a homeopathic remedy is just a bandaide and not actually a cure, but then again a conventional treatment would not be a cure either I have a dog that is a FREEK when it comes to the vet, and let me tell you you never want 92#'s of dog being that stressed out at the vet We use Rescue Remedy and for Willow it has helped quite a bit. I give it to her about 20 minutes before and it HELPS ALOT! She still sometimes looses her POOH but she does not try and rip the vets hand off anymore and SHE REALLY LIKES OUR VET I could just imagine if she hated him It's just that like Aussie said you get pooked and proded and stabed and let me tell you as tolerant as my girl is she still has issues with the NEEDLE If you do a search on Bach Flower Essence you will find alot of good info. Rescue Remedy is made up of those extracts, but you know I think the Alchohol that is the stabalizer in it actually does the most good I don't know maybe I should just get out the lemon and salt and say "C'MON WILLOW LETS HAVE A DATE WITH JOSE" Really just read about the Bach flower Essence and you should fine the one you need
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