Fireworks

Introduction

Sound sensitivities are probably the most common behaviour problem that we are presented with. Sound phobias and particularly fear of fireworks often get worse over time.

You can book into a free nurse clinic to discuss one to one how to manage your pet's sound phobia. Training and desensitising can take several months and so we recommend you do this as early as possible and do not leave it until just before 5th November. We also give presentations close to Bonfire Night to help our clients prepare themselves and their pets. Look out in the surgery for details or call our reception.

The following is a summary of our advice on dealing with sound phobia.

Normal fear is a healthy control response that protects us and our pets from danger and is proportional to the level of threat experienced. Phobic fear is always intense and not proportional to the immediate threat. Sometimes the noise that triggers a phobic fear can be so low that you hardly hear it. Phobic fear also persists long after the noise has been removed.

Signs often seen with fear of fireworks:

• Running around
• Hiding
• Being destructive
• Panting
• Trembling
• Salivating
• Seeking owner
• Restlessness
• Cowering

Advanced preparation

Your dog needs a special place where he can hide. If your dog already has experienced fear of fireworks then you will know where in the house this is. It is usually best not to try to change this place and your home may need arranging to ensure that access is always available. For example ensuring that doors are not closed to the room where the hiding place is.

Our free Firework Phobia talk

Install a DAP (dog appeasing pheromone) diffuser close to the dogs hiding place This should be left on 24 hours a day ideally from 2 weeks before fireworks start until 2 weeks after. DAP diffusers release pheromones that are produced by lactating bitches and have a calming effect on both puppies and adult dogs. In a recent trial 71% of owners were either satisfied or very satisfied with the results when DAP diffusers were used to control anxiety in dogs exposed to fireworks. 80% would like to use DAP in the future. DAP diffusers are available from Vale Vets.

Place lots of blankets in your dogs hiding place, preferably with a piece of your old clothing

Try to darken the room to avoid flashes

Ensure food, including tit bits, and water is available, although many dogs will not be interested if they choose to hide.

Try playing moderately loud rhythmic music with a good beat.

Get your dog used to going to the hiding place 2 -3 times each day during the run up to the firework period.

On firework evening give your dog a large stodgy carbohydrate meal in the late afternoon. Pasta, mashed potato or overcooked rice are ideal. It will help your dog feel calm and sleepy. Vitamin B supplements may also be helpful

When the noises start

Lead your dog to its hiding place and encourage him to stay there.

Don't get cross with your dog when he is scared. It will only make him more scared.

Avoid soothing your dog as this makes things worse. It gives the impression that there is something to be frightened of and may even reward him for being scared. Also, if your dog comes to think of you as the only person who can soothe the fears then he may panic if there are fireworks when you aren't around to help.

Ignore your dog when he is looking frightened and only show attention and affection when he has begun to relax. Then you can give your dog a game or some food treats as a reward.

Ignore the noises yourself and try to appear happy and unconcerned.

More than one dog showing fear?

Try to establish separate hiding places with a DAP diffuser in each place. If only one hiding place is available this can lead to aggression as a result of competition over "the safest place to hide".

Medical treatments

There has been significant amount of work investigating the most appropriate medical treatment for helping phobic patients and as a result our choice of medication has changed.

Traditionally sedative drugs such as ACP tablets (prescription only medicines) have been widely used. It is now understood that sedating patients during time or fear may prevent patients from showing signs of fear such as pacing, panting, hiding etc. but does nothing to lower anxiety levels. Patients still experience fear but are simply unable to express it. This can make the fear response worse during future exposure to fearful stimuli. ACP is now not considered to be the best drug to use in management of noise phobias

Benzodiazepines however can be very effective in acute phase management of sound phobias. These drugs reduce anxiety and also have a memory blocking effect which means that the patient does not remember any stressful event. This medication can also be given up to 1 hour after the start of an event and still have a memory blocking effect. These drugs are all prescription only medicines and therefore can only be prescribed to patients directly under supervision of a veterinary surgeon. If a pet has not been seen by a vet for more than 6 months a medical exam will be needed prior to prescribing. Those pets seen within 6 months will need to be prescribed on an individual basis subject to a vet's authorization.

Other therapies

Herbal supplements such as Scullcap and Valerian (available from Vale Vets) may help some patients.

Homeopathy. We have our own vet, Helen Bragg, who is happy to give advice regarding homeopathic options for treating fear of fireworks.

Long term therapy

Medical management and behavioural therapy such as desensitisation and counter conditioning are all useful in the long term control of noise phobias. We are happy to help guide you in the methods available.

Summary

DAP diffuser should be installed approximately 2 weeks prior to fireworks night. But DAP is still reasonably effective if installed much closer to the event.

Benzodiazepines may be used to block memory of specific events and to produce greater anti anxiety effect when used in conjunction with DAP.

Provide full time access to a refuge.

Do not give attention or reassurance when your pet is anxious or fearful.

Use loud music to block the sounds of noises from outside

Keep windows and curtains closed to prevent dog from hearing quieter noises and seeing flashes of light.

On the night of the firework event walk dog early and then keep inside after darkness. Feed a large stodgy carbohydrate rich meal with a Vitamin B supplement about 2 hours ahead of the event.

Click here to return to Free Nurse Clinics.