Storm Phobia Update
It’s been a while since I’ve written a storm phobia update on Sassy Blue.
Actually, her storm phobia worsened a little. I know! Can you say discouraged?
I wrote a progress report back in late June ’19 and at that time, Sassy was still settling into her new life with me. She hated going in to her crate, didn’t want to be left at home, was not always eating her meals (she was overweight, too) and she struggled with storm anxiety.
She displayed obsessive behaviors, too.
All of this was new to me – she didn’t struggle with these issues the first time I fostered her.
On top of all of that, we found a few growths around her mammaries requiring removal of her entire mammary chain on one side. Thankfully, the pathology report came back benign, but she came home with one helluva incision.
During all of this, we dealt with storms and her anxiety. That said, it didn’t rain much all summer! Georgia is in a severe drought, and the Alabama coast has not experienced the normal, severe summer storms we usually do. But, we’ve seen plenty of unpredictable pop-up mini thunderstorms and those have caused Sassy some stress and progression.
Making Progress...
We have made progress from the first update:
Sassy is no longer resisting going into her crate, in fact, she now enters her crate on cue. I couldn’t be more thrilled! I attribute this success to her following Otis’ lead and her crate placed next to his. That, and practice. Practice is always good!
In addition, she is much less anxious when I leave the house. None of my dogs want to be left behind, but they are not anxious about it. I was thrilled to see the separation anxiety behaviors make an about-face.
Storm Phobia Update - adding to the toolbox
While working with our veterinarian on Sassy’s physical health – these mammary growths and her obesity, I included in the conversation not only Sassy’s storm anxieties, but also these odd obsessive-type behaviors Sassy seemed to manifest around her food and meal preparation.
So weird! I don’t remember Sassy as a finicky eater. At first, I thought she was just being picky. But no sooner than I thought I’d figured out the exact method of preparing her food – the right amount of water at the perfect temperature, (I’m not joking!) she’d decide not to eat. She skipped a lot of meals because I could not figure out what she wanted, and I blew a small fortune trying to find a food she loved that I was willing to feed her. Full disclosure, Sassy likes high-fat food, and her favorite brand is Blue Buffalo. I don’t feed Blue.
She licked everything. My skin. Carpet. Upholstery. Herself.
Talking Medicine
The veterinarian and I talked about a trial of medication.
Previously, the vet prescribed Trazodone for use in the event of stormy weather. I gave it to Sassy once or twice with marginal results.
This time, the vet prescribed low dose Fluoxetine (Prozac) to address these obsessive behaviors knowing we might also see benefit with her storm anxieties.
I started the Prozac six weeks ago, and I didn’t notice much improvement.
In fact, Sassy’s storm triggers increased and she responded to mild thunder, wind, and rain with greater intensity. She also started reacting to lightning. I felt discouraged, to say the least.
She licked stuff a little less, but still refused to eat meals on a regular basis and even sniffed each treat I offered with ritualistic suspicion. One nostril at a time. A side effect of Prozac is decreased appetite, but I personally think her appetite was weird before she began the medication. In fact, I know it was!
Progress when you least expect it.
Last week or so, I saw a shift in Sassy’s obsessive behaviors, particularly her picky eating behaviors.
She stopped skipping meals and seemed happy with the way I prepared each meal. She stopped wanting water on her food much to my delight! I can’t tell you how many bowls of soggy kibble I threw away because she decided not to eat that meal.
She stopped licking so much. And, (a big AND!) she began responding to cues to redirect her from licking me constantly.
She didn’t follow me around the house while I prepared to leave.
HOORAY For Medication!
Today, I saw proof that Prozac is helping Sassy.
This morning, Sassy woke me to a surprise pop-up thunderstorm. Normally, when she wakes me up because of a storm, she is already in full panic mode. Just last week, she was as bad as I’ve seen her. Not today.
Today, when I lifted her up on to the bed, she sat beside me instead of wanting back down.
She was alert and alarmed, but she wasn’t panting. Usually, she begins panting almost immediately.
She allowed me to put my arm around her in a firm but comforting manner.
She didn’t pant. That is, until I had to get up and unplug electronics. My moving about elevated her anxiety.
Her recovery from her anxiety was much quicker! Usually, she naps for hours after a thunderstorm, and she refuses to eat or go outside to potty. This morning, she didn’t nap at all, ate all of her morning meal, and wanted to go outside to potty, although she did a one-eighty when she saw it was still raining. She is a princess! Prozac won’t fix that!
I also believe having Prozac on board helps her Trazodone work more effectively.
A happier dog
I believe she is a happier dog on medication. Less uptight. Less worried.
She invites Otis to play with her.
She’s less rigid.
She prances and dances and runs and plays.
Don't shun medication!
So, if you need a testimony on using medications for anxiety and obsessive behaviors, you just read my storm phobia update on Sassy Pants.
It took a full six weeks for the medication to take full effect. I acknowledge some mild side effects which now appear a non-issue. I firmly believe Sassy’s storm phobia will improve over time with the combination of daily Prozac and as-needed Trazodone along with the other tools in my toolbox: thundershirt, preparation of the environment, and a calm, confident ME.
