Raeya
43529
1040
22
Fourth of July is around the corner, and it's one of the most common days where pets go missing, but people also like to set off fireworks leading up to the fourth of July. Keep your pets safe & indoors, but you can also speak with your vet regarding anxiety meds. Don't feel shy to ask for a paper script either, Gabapentin & Trazodone (some of the more common medications) can be purchased cheaper through human pharmacies than most vets or even cheaper than pet pharmacies like Chewy.com or 1800petmeds (and GoodRx can help you shop around to look at pricing options).
Edit:
Spay/Neuter & Microchip your pets!
Hypothesist
mines fine as long as she get to be under a blanket curled up next to some one. Otherwise will be shaking in fear. Under the blanket perfectly content, even playful.. She really believes in the blanket
JAG517
Well done!
AllTheGoodOnesWereGone
HAHAHA this is the Midwest! It's too fucking late! Memorial Day fireworks are already in progress!
DragonWithUnfinishedProjects
My 5 cats usually hide under my desk of on the desk huddled near me when fireworks happen.
mephiston
having them tagged or chipped is also a good thing to do
DidYouTryTurningItOffAndOnAgain
Yes and double check the info on the chip is up to date!
downrightmike
How do we deal with the asshole neighbors that shoot fireworks off all night?
lp12345
Better yet, wait until a weekday.
Iamnotawildturkey
Costco can also be an option to fill your PET scripts.
Charlawilliams70
We watch TV really loud. It seems to make the noise blend with the tv. We have 3 dogs and only one reacts badly. Crazy that gun shots don't bother her but bottle rockets do.
sgnight13
My dog gives zero shits about fireworks, thunder, sirens, other dogs barking. Nothing. But god forbid you make a popping sound with your mouth or blow a raspberry. That shit is unacceptable
theduckening
I had a dog when I was a kid, fireworks was totally fine. But would jump if my dad fell asleep watching tv and farted loudly.
leaderofthedamned
I had a dog for 15 years that lost his shit with fireworks and thunderstorms, every holiday I spent with a heavily drugged dog sleeping in the bathtub. I did it because I loved him.
My dog now doesn't give a damn because I played loud noises and videos of fireworks and thunder when we got her. I did it because if I sleep in the bathtub again, I won't be able to move in the morning.
GlenL
I plan on being drugged up for fireworks too!
MissIWasntItching
I've seen Noise Cancelling headphones for dogs, as well as some calming music that's supposed to help against those days where fireworks are most prominent.
I say this without having a dog to test with, or knowing much about it. But if you have a pet sensitive to that stuff, maybe look into it.
jwillustrat
I have indoor cats and they just hide under the couch. Well, one of them does. The rest don’t seem to care.
DarkfireDragon
Yep. My Milly hates loud noises and will always dive under the armchair. She alo hates being outside so I don't have to worry about her running off.
Hexidimentional
i keep forgetting they make xanax and valium for dogs
theoneandonlyblondeblur
Heartland vet supply.com is also a great place for cheaper meds.
BearInABallgown
As a vet tech- bless you. And I will remind everyone to keep their pets securely in the house or yard; every year on July 5th, our ER sees a string of dogs who panicked, ran away, and hurt themselves scrambling to get away from the scary booming sounds. Keep them safely contained in case the noise sends them sprinting wildly into the darkness!
GreyJediAmI
and last time i was in Target, they were selling kid sized noise reduction headphones
KYGELL91
Drug them dogs up!!! (Responsibly)
SacrificialClam
My dog likes to get wasted on gin and tonics during these times each year
victell
This is good advice. Thanks!
thepriceisrightbitchez
CBD drops helped my golden retriever immensely!
Raeya
https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/CBD-oil-for-dogs
We personally recommend against CBD because it can negatively impact the liver (but so can many other medications). Definitely recommend routine bloodwork if you go this route to make sure you aren't over-stressing the liver
Einstein9073
Wait hold up I read a dozen PSAs to never give your dog weed
thepriceisrightbitchez
It’s not the same. And the CBD I give to my dog is specifically for dogs. I got it from a pharmacy, although it was over the counter.
eeps
Do your research, talk to your vet before giving anything to your pet. But! Weed is NOT the same as CBD, weed contains THC, a mild psychoactive compound. CBD does not contain THC and is totally legal.
Einstein9073
THC and CBD are both chemical compounds found in marijuana. The percentage varies by strain. Where are you getting CBD treats for your dog that are not marijuana derived?
putcleverusernamehere
Find an infant /child tshirt that fits the dog tightly (obviously not too tight, but tight) Wearing it calms the dog, sometimes substantially. Or buy a ThunderShirt
OtterlyMagnificent
Another trick I've found (At least, for my mom's dog) is to find a 'calming music for dogs' playlist and put it on loop into a pair of over-ear headphones. If the dog is comfortable with headphones. I got the little guy through 2 years of New Years and July 4th fireworks before I moved out. My headphones still have some of his fur in the earcups, but it worked. He sat between my feet calmly the whole show.
Raeya
I've desensitized my pups to thunderstorms by using ASoftMurmur.com at bedtime, it's helped a lot with our firework anxiety, everyone just piles in bed when the noise starts
justravenhere10
Also anti anxiety meds need time to build up and need consistent doses. Don't just dose the dog whenever. It can be a wild experience as they adjust. For this reason dog groomers will not take dogs who are not at least a couple weeks on the med consistently
MadamPuddifoot
I am soooo thankful that neither of my dogs gives a shit about fireworks OR thunderstorms, especially since I live in FL, and across the street from window licking MAGAt fucks who shoot off fireworks ALL FUCKING DAY during memorial day, labor day, 4th of July, and new years eve.
Fuck I can't stand them
drunkbs
My vet is amazing but she is reluctant to prescribe anxiety meds.
Raeya
Find another vet/ask for a written script. There's no point to make pets suffer from something they can't understand.
drunkbs
Fucking sucks for my poor dude that's anxious about storms and boom boom nightmare day.
lacarpitrondookmarriot
What do most vets prescribe for fireworks anxiety? Gabapentin?
Raeya
Typically gabapentin or trazodone, but we will throw both at pets with severe anxiety. Definitely speak with your vet if you feel like the dosage is too much/not enough and they can help you adjust
OranjeCzech
I've only had trazadone for anxiety for my past doggo. They gave us gabapentin after a surgery for his pain and that really knocked him out (inadvertently of course, wasn't the plan)
Siptro
Good old Benadryl works in a pinch too
Raeya
Depends on the pet, the ones with severe anxiety tend to need quite a bit more
westcoastghost
This is true at 1mg/lb but NEVER go above 75mg if your dog is 75+ lbs and do not give if your dog has a history of seizures. However I agree with other comments stating there are other meds much better suited for anxiety/sedative purposes. Also do not give to cats
[deleted]
[deleted]
LittleRobot71
Source?
johnspeck2
Roughly 1mg/lb. Not that hard to do, but ok.
4254
mg/lb? Mixing metric and imperial? How many kilometers/gallon do you get?
johnspeck2
Yes. The pill is in mg and everyone here knows their dogs weight in lbs.
drduffer
Benadryl, in sufficient quantities, can also cause hallucinations. Just what you need: a freaked out hallucinating 90 lbs GSD/Lab mix.
johnspeck2
Then don’t give them an assload. 1mg/lb is absolutely fine.
SinStar87
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and pain med tho, why's it used for anxiety in dogs?
supercerealsteph
Most drugs have been developed for a specific purpose and later have other uses discovered over time. Amitriptyline was developed for mood but we use it in cats with cystitis. And since, better drugs have been developed and it fell out of favor. This is something I guess our education system doesn’t cover outside of medical programs. I’ve experienced this first-hand over 15 years in the field but it’s also part of the nursing curriculum.
RedundantSquirrel
It affects animals quite differently, it chills them way out and they act sedated. I have an old cat who needs it to be examined at all, as she gets bitey otherwise.
SinStar87
Thanks. Creepy it works that way, I'm on trazodone and it is for anxiety and sedation.
combatwombat0
They have trazodone for cats and dogs too I think. It is interesting that some meds work differently for them. But there are some dog antidepressants that are the same ones humans take
Shloobs
Just picked our refills up today! Fireworks tend to happen for Memorial Day as well where I live so time for a trazo-coma for our bois
Jperez361337
Bro they're already going off in my hood -_-
quitepossiblygettingold
1 for them, 1 for me, spaz out in the blanket fort.
Raeya
Love to hear it, I work at a vet and the long-timers have started to come in for their refills. I worry about the pets we see regularly that are already high stress and undermedicated
Shloobs
Does your clinic send a text/email/social media reminder about it around this time of year? Ours did this year, was so happy to see it!
Raeya
We do routine reminders, but I don't think we do any large scale messages like that, it's a good idea though
camn333
Really? People use fireworks on memorial day? Wouldn't that be like saying "fuck you and your PTSD"?
HoneyBunchesOfStoats
In my neighborhood this year some asshole set off fireworks for mother's day
SmoeAhsolse
Memorial day is in memorial for the people who don't have a post to their trauma. You're thinking of Veteran's Day.
spiceass9000
Nah just and already triggering day remembering brothers and sisters we lost and then engages the ptsd even harder. Pretty cool
IAmTheBadW01f
If your fireworks aren't loud enough to rouse the dead you need to step up your game