Separation anxiety and Rescue Remedy

[Dana Lee]

Hi all,

I'm thinking of putting Lexi on one of the vet-prescribed meds for separation anxiety. As I've taked about it with a group of friends, more than one person mentioned Rescue Remedy. Have any of you used it? Also, I've done research on the Web, and I can't determine how much I'd give her. She weighs about 48 pounds.

Any insight/advice/experience on this issue would be helpful.

And, incidentally, I've done all sorts of behavior training and read every article I can get my hands about what to do to help ease the stress of us leaving. Nothing has worked, and last week she actually broke her tooth in the crate. She'll be 3 in July and the vet said she should grow out of it in a couple of years, but I don't want her to hurt herself again.

Thanks!
Dana

 

[JulieM]

You give 4 drops of Rescue Remedy on the tonge, nose, ears, footpads, or you can put 4 drops in her water, or you can put 4 drops in a spray bottle of water and mist her with it.

However - I'm not sure RR is the best thing for separation anxiety. RR is good for acute traumatic situations and shock - injury, accident, collapse, etc. - but there are other remedies which might be more appropriate for a chronic situation like SA. Off the top of my head I'm thinking Mimulus, Aspen, Vervain, but I'm not positive if those are correct or not - I can look at my repetory later (or if Susan Fulcher happens upon this thread I'm sure she can give you specifics ) Also, http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/remedies.htm has a good repetory as well, so you can figure which remedy(ies) best matches her symptoms. There are also some blends out there, http://www.equilite.com/catalog/newcatalog.html has one called "Easy Does It" (click on 'Flower Essences')- I haven't tried that one but have had good success with their "Devil Be Gone" blend.

 

[susan fulcher]

Dana.
I'll need some info on Lexis past and her anxiety and I can suggest a mixture for her. How long has she been this way. Is it just seperation anxiety or does she have other fears. Have you had her since a pup or is she a rescue. Can you remember the day the fear started.

Have you considered a animal communicator. I have one we use on our rescues and fur babies at home and work, I can e-mail you her # she can do it over the phone.

 

[Dana Lee]

Susan,

We got Lexi as a puppy ... she was about 9 weeks old. She'll be 3 years old this July.

Lexi immediately began staying in the crate when we got her, and didn't have any problems for the first few months. Then, she just started being very slobbery -- I mean soaked with slobber -- when we'd get home. That's continued off and on for the past couple of years. Sometimes she's not completely drenched, but I suspect she gets tired of crying and trying to dig her way out and goes to sleep, so her hair dries a bit.

It's ironic, though, b/c she runs right into the crate when I say kennel. I don't have to talk her into it or push her in, she seems almost happy to go. I give her a kong filled with PB, which she goes crazy for. However, I guess as soon as that's gone, she starts stressing. I ran to the grocery store the other day. I was gone for less than half an hour, and when I came home, she was drenched.

I can't use the all wire crates anymore with her either. She completely demolishes the plastic tray at the bottom -- even the ones that are guaranteed for life. I can't put any toys (except her kong) or a pet bed in their either because she'll shred them.

One more thing: She's not alone in the room I keep the crate in. My other dog, Scout, a 4-year-old male is in a crate right beside her. And, right now, there's also a 5 month old rescue in there in another crate.

As far as other fears, none come to mind. She's a very sweet dog, and seems to be well-adjusted except for the issue with the crate.

Any suggestion you might offer that will help her feel better would be great!

Dana

 

[WorkingMom]

We had to resort to putting Sampson on Clomicalm for a 6 mo. period. A lot of people told me not to do it, but the vet (who I trust completely) said it was the best thing for him.

The final straw was when he wound up in the doggie ER b/c he had eaten half of the window ledge in the basement. Crating was not even option - b/c he was such a super freak.

I would recommend Clomicalm to anyone who feels they have tried everything else. We did the entire behaviour training & adding Clomicalm to the mix was just what we needed.

Now (a year later) Sampson is more than happy to receive his daily parting pnut butter biscuit and coming home is a pleasure.

We did the medium dose & reduced it over time so it was a gradual step down. We saw no change in his personality or behaviour other than him being a happy, well adjusted dog who wasn't beating himself up all day while we were gone.

Good luck to you in whatever you decide. I feel for you b/c I know the frustration and sadness that sep. anxiety can cause for the pups & their people.

 

[susan fulcher]

Hi Dana.

I reccommend these remedies. Aspen. Red Chestnut, White Chestnut, Walnut, and RR.

Aspen..... is for her unknown fears when she is in the kennel.

Red Chestnut.......is for her seperation anxiety from you when you leave when she is in the kennel.

White Chestnut ...is for the mental anguish she gets when in the kennel.

Walnut...is a good link breaker and transitional remedy.

RR- Rescue Remedy is good to just add.

Since she is fine when out of the kennel I feel we should concentrate on the fears in the kennel when left alone.

There is another remedy for confidence ..Larch.. but I figure she is normal outside the kennel and probably doesn't lack confidence outside the kennel.

You can get these at a health food store. Get a dropper bottle and put 2 drops of ea. in the bottle with spring water 4drops RR
You can put some in a mist bottle and spritz the air around her kennel when you leave also. Put it in her water, food. You want to give it to her ...minimum ...4 times a day ...more if you can everyday. It might take as long as 6 weeks to see changes. You can rub RR in her ears when you leave too along with putting drops of the mix in her mouth.

Also the remedys can be used by your family and you. when you have restless nights and can not sleep because of something worrying you can take some White Chestnut it gets rid of worrying thoughts.
Walnut is good for kids like teens going through those changes in life or teething babies. Job transitions, moving, adjusting the dogs to new visitors. making decisions - it protects you from influences of others.

Red Chestnut is good for parents or loved one who start to worry to much about others.

I hope this can help .

 

[Denise Billings]

Separation anxiety

I have used clomicalm for separation anxiety and also, RR. Have tried valarian root and melatonin. My boxer does the same thing as Susan's. Pants and is drenched. Won't touch her favorite chew toy, or even drink water. She was abused prior to us getting her. She was adopted. she is 6.5 years. The natural remedies were given after the vet said she didn't need clomicalm.
We have her on a small dose again of clomicalm and I am going to take her to another behaviour therapist. Tell me more about the person you can call. I love this dog and don't want her to be so stressed. Thank you Denise

 

[Aimee]

Originally posted by WorkingMom
I would recommend Clomicalm to anyone who feels they have tried everything else. We did the entire behaviour training & adding Clomicalm to the mix was just what we needed.

Now (a year later) Sampson is more than happy to receive his daily parting pnut butter biscuit and coming home is a pleasure.

We did the medium dose & reduced it over time so it was a gradual step down. We saw no change in his personality or behaviour other than him being a happy, well adjusted dog who wasn't beating himself up all day while we were gone.

I couldn't have said it better!

You'll get varied opinions from people in regards to clomicalm. Many people try clomicalm alone, not in conjunction with desensitization training, and will say it doesn't work. Desensitization training is a daily affair, not one that can be done as time permits. Many folks aren't consistent and wonder why their dogs aren't getting better. Others just want to give a pill and see drastic results. There is no quick fix to cure seperation anxiety and it cannot be done with a pill or serum alone. I personally recommend treating with clomicalm in conjunction with desensitization training. However, your number one priority is to establish yourself as alpha of your pack. This will make the rest of the process much easier. I recommend a copy of the Dog Listener by Jan Fennell to help you with this. It has an excellent chapter on seperation anxiety. The desensitization training and confidence building are your number two priority.

Lexi, who could escape the crate AND then the house, is now a well adjusted soon to be 5 year old that no longer EVER requires crating. She too ended up in the ER (many times) but the last time was after slicing an atery. We are lucky to still have her today. Seperation anxiety is an awful thing to deal with for both the dog and the owners. Lexi and I know first hand. Good luck!

 

[WorkingMom]

Aimee,

You might not remember me, but you were the one who gave me the strength to address this issue with my Sampson. And when everyone else was telling me I was giving up by using Clomicalm, you told me I was doing the right thing.

I followed ALL Of your advice to the letter & to this day we are on a very strict routine - and we have the most wonderful, sweet & loving boy in the world.

I often wonder what he must have gone through to make him so stressed, but when we found him he had been in the pound for 5 weeks - so who knows.

Like you, the last straw for me was when he started to physically endanger himself - I couldn't fathom the thought of losing him.

It has been 2 years since we adopted him, and he is a totally different doggie.

Thanks so much Aimee for your help & engouragement.

And to all of you who deal with the emotional stress daily, hang in there - they payoff in the end is worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shannon (WorkingMom)

 

[Aimee]

Shannon -

I didn't originally put two and two together but I do remember you and Sampson I am so glad to hear that he is doing well and that the clomicalm and training worked for you! Thank you for the update, it's good to hear another happy ending.