Kimberly, welcome to Dodgerslist. Thank you for giving Atticus a home and the kind of care he needs to get over this bump in the road of life.
CALMERS
Calmers do not all work the same for each dog. For some dogs a calmer could actually do the opposite…excite them. So get with the vet and tell him diazepam (Valium) is not helping to calm.
Using any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives such as ACE, ete.. Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog.
Farnum's Comfort Zone with D.A.P.
www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html [pheromone diffuser] with one oral calmer from below:
Oral calmers:
1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed
www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets/behavioral-health 2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine.
www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php 3) Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation
www.bachrescueremedypet.com Plain Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) with no additional medications added. Buy at your grocery store or pharmacy. Get the dosage from your vet. The wrong dose can have dangerous side effects, so your vet needs to prescribe the proper amount for your dog.
Other calmer brands may be available in your area… just shop by the active ingredient(s) on the label.
--Be aware you might be inadvertently training for unwanted behavior. To dogs rewards are: food, looking at them, talking to them, eye contact, approaching the crate, petting. So anytime you see unwanted behavior ignore it, turn your back, leave the room if you have to. Preferable is to start teaching what you do want before there is too much practice in doing the unwanted behavior. Anytime your dog is sitting or lying down quietly, give a reward. Soon Atticus will see he get rewards for quietly sitting or lying down. Other recovery suite training ideas:
-- Many members have found a pet stroller to solve the whining problem because the stroller can be wheeled from room to room as you go about your activities. Pet strollers, however, should only be used when you are directly supervising. More details on strollers:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/strollers.htm-- Put a garment you have been wearing and have not washed in the crate.
-- As learned from Nan Arthur, CDBC, CPDT, KPACTP, t
eaching self-calming exercises can also help your dog to relax more. You can make something as simple as eye contact a very rewarding behavior that also acts as a way for your dog to “ask permission” when he wants something. When dogs have a focus and an understanding about how to behave to get what they want, they are much calmer overall. To do this, each time your dog looks at you, say, something like, “Yes!” to mark the second he looks at you, and then give your dog a piece of low calorie carrot or apple. Shift your body a bit .... wait for your dog to look at your eyes again, say, “Yes,” and reward again. Do this exercise 10 or so times and then say, “All done,” and put the treats away. Come back later and do it again until you can see that your dog is really starting to make automatic eye contact in hopes you will say, “Yes,” again and give him his reward. -- At night, try placing the crate on a sturdy bedside table to sleep next to you.
-- During the day try the coffee table or the dinning room table so there will be a view out a window and a better perspective on what is going on in the house from a high.
-- Make the crate or ex-pen more cozy by draping a blanket over part of the top. Play classical music or one of the wildlife TV shows.
QUESTIONS
We can be of the best help and support by knowing a few more details:
-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy?
-- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies?
Pepcid AC should be on board to protect the stomach while on Pred. We follow the proactive vets in stomach protection with 5mg of Pepcid AC 30 mins before Pred. Also give Pred with a meal. Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: Is there a health reason Atticus may not take Pepcid AC? If there is no reason, get this med on board today. Know each of your dog's meds by reviewing this alpha directory:
www.marvistavet.com/html/famotidine.html This is a must read page to get up to speed on meds and how conservative treatment works, how long for each phase of healing… highly recommended to read now:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htm-- Currently can Atticus still wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? The very, very lightest least aggressive range of motion and leg massage is necessary for paralyzed legs during conservative treatment.
-- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? Or do you see him sniff an old pee spot in the grass and then choose to release urine there?
-- Eating and drinking OK?
-- Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood?
