General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Damned DIY Fireworks! [View all]catchnrelease
(1,993 posts)I've never had to give any of my dogs meds for the fireworks noise, but our 8yr old Vizsla has gotten worse every year. So this time I decided to get something from the vet. She gave us Xanax for the anxiety and Acepromazine as a sedative, and said to use as I thought necessary. So, last weekend was the official city show which is about a mile away and it lasts only about 15mins. I thought I'd just try the Xanax since it would be over pretty quick. I gave it to him about 2hrs ahead as directed but it didn't seem to do anything other than make him uncoordinated. So then he was freaked out AND would tip over if I wasn't restraining him.
Tonight will be the neighborhood (illegal) fireworks. These are right on our street and will last from this afternoon until who knows when. I think I'll give him both drugs this time and hope for the best. Once the worst of it starts I will put his harness on and hold him until it dies down. (If I just hold him by his collar he will choke himself by pulling to run around the house.) Meanwhile the other dog could care less and will probably just lay there. Weird. I was just curious as to whether other people using the drugs felt they worked at all.
It's so sad seeing on local facebook all of the dogs that have already been found running loose or reported escaped due to the noise. And I read that the local shelters have had to kill more dogs sooner to prepare for the flood of new strays that will be brought in in the coming days. People suck!