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Over time, the behavior of storm phobic pets may escalate and result in panic. It is during these times when dogs and cats may cause injury to themselves by trying to escape from the anxiety-provoking stimulus. Some dogs have broken screen and glass doors or windows in attempts to outrun the causes of their fear.
Because hiding is common among pets that are scared of storms, they usually choose places that are covered and dark, such as a kennel, closet, or behind furniture. In some cases, dogs may also prefer to seek shelter in a bathroom. The theory behind this behavior is because the air in the bathroom is more calming (ionized). Frantic barking, destruction, and attempts to escape, are also described in the behavior of storm phobic dogs.
Some dogs may be predisposed to storm phobias due to genetics or from inadequate socialization as puppies. Though, it is important to know that even dogs that are well adjusted may also become affected. Signs of phobic dogs are initially apparent between 1 and 5 years of age, although many dogs may be less than 12 months old at the time the problem begins.
Obviously upsetting for the pet, storm phobias are a problem from an animal welfare perspective. Additionally, the behavior shown by the pet, especially dogs, is extremely upsetting for owners, who are distressed by their pet's anxiety and by the resulting damage inflicted on their homes. If a dog or cat's phobia of storms is not properly addressed, it can weaken the owner-pet bond and lead to pet abandonment, placement in a shelter or alternate home or even, in the severest cases, to euthanasia.
There are no pharmacologic treatments registered to treat storm phobias. Although some drugs have been tried off-label, including benzodiapines and acepromazine, the latter may sometimes make the signs worse. Anti-anxiety drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (eg fluoxetine) and tricyclic antidepressants (clomipramine) have also been used. The disadvantage of giving these types of drugs is that treatment must begin 2 or more weeks before the phobia-initiating stimulus. All drugs carry a risk of side effects, typically excessive sedation, and some may cause vomiting and other problems.
To avoid the effects some drugs may cause, many pet owners seek alternative therapies, such as homeopathic remedies or dog appeasing pheromone (DAP). DAP is a synthetic mixture of compounds that match post-partum secretions of the sebaceous glands, and are delivered by an electronic diffuser. Homeopathy involves giving very small doses of remedies that would produce the same or similar symptoms of illness in healthy pets if they were given in larger doses.
A recent survey of dog owners using a homeopathic product (such as Super Stress Reli) found a positive response in 34 of 36 (94.4%) dogs treated for storm phobia (see figure above). An important benefit that emerged in the survey was that there were no adverse reactions to the homeopathic remedy. These study results combined with the favorable post treatment alleviation in signs of phobia, may account for the high level of client satisfaction that has been reported with homeopathic treatments.
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