Depression In Dogs

[becky thatcher]

Wonder if anyone has 1. Believes in this 2. Has had successful treatment.

My parents have a red heeler, she is a very sensitive soul. Since my father has had some health issues requiring hospitalisation at times, the dog goes into a shutdown and hides under the bed. She has even bitten a patch of hair out near her tail which has been treated by the vet. Thankfully my father is having more good days now and the dogs mood has improved.

Is treating these things a bit 'new age" or does it work?

I love all your stories on here

[sas]

Dogs do suffer depression, it is scientifically documented, it would seem cruel to not treat it....a human left untreated can commit suicide.

Just because it's a dog doesn't mean anything treatment orientated is 'new age' when something is related to the possiblity that an animal can think and feel.

Biting near the tail is know as a flea allergy.

As humans we can help dogs through these changes to their family/environment by acting normally around them and not pandering them. Where needbe herbal treatments such as Rescue Remedy and Valerian can be given and if they dog is really bad a Behaviourist or Vet Behaviourist can help access the dog and devise a treatment plan.

[becky thatcher]

Thanks for that sas. As I said, dog is improving with dad improving. The topical medicine from the vet is working on the hairless patch. It's not fleas, our dogs don't have fleas as they are not outside enough.

If dad has to go to hospital I will definitely make sure the dog gets to the vet.

I used the words "new age" as a bit of a laugh really. I know Rescue Remedy works for people, have never been convinced about the herbal drugs for depression in humans, prefer the cold hard science ones.

I hear you about acting normally around animals too.

Good tips.

[Nekhbet]

It's not fleas, our dogs don't have fleas as they are not outside enough.

It can take one flea bite for a sensitive dog to flare up and start nibbling. FLeas can hop inside too

There are herbal remedies from depression in animals, I think sometimes that is a better start then full on medication depending on the severity. Tryptophan, Bach Flower, Valerian etc are somewhere I would start ... horse people have known about more natural calmatives for ages I'm really surprised we have not transferred the concepts over to the dogs

[sas]

Flea's aren't anything to be ashamed about, all dogs encounter fleas at some stage whether they are inside or outside dogs

Also fleas have to bite the dog before they die generally so they could still be irritating the dog

St Johns Wort is a herbal remedy for depression and is actually clinically proven. My dog went on it after he came of Clomicalm, he was weaned off it about 8 weeks ago and is doing really well.

Something as simple as Vit. B can help dogs with mild behavioural problems as can trace elements, simply being slightly defcient in one mineral can spark a human or canine body to play up physically and mentally.

I give my old girl Valerian during storms and she'll settle down and go to sleep.

Edited February 26, 2010 by sas

[becky thatcher]

Flea's aren't anything to be ashamed about, all dogs encounter fleas at some stage whether they are inside or outside dogs

Also fleas have to bite the dog before they die generally so they could still be irritating the dog

St Johns Wort is a herbal remedy for depression and is actually clinically proven. My dog went on it after he came of Clomicalm, he was weaned off it about 8 weeks ago and is doing really well.

Something as simple as Vit. B can help dogs with mild behavioural problems as can trace elements, simply being slightly defcient in one mineral can spark a human or canine body to play up physically and mentally.

I give my old girl Valerian during storms and she'll settle down and go to sleep.

St Johns Wort is a herbal remedy for depression and is actually clinically proven.

In humans, depends on which country did the clinical trial. Anyway, lets not get into that can of worms

Vitamin B is a good one, thanks for reminding me. Executive Stress for Humans is great.

I have a hypnosis CD for thunderstorms (which are brewing here in Perth right now as we speak)

[persephone]

Almost every dog has ,or has had fleas ...and yes, one bite is all it takes to set off an allergic reaction Fleas actually LOVE living indoors, where the temperature is not extreme

I have noticed over the years that stressed dogs will chew more at their front feet/legs than the base of the tail .Whether this is common or not, I do not know.

I am glad your dad and dog are improving .

Although you prefer the pharmaceutical drugs, you may find this interesting http://www.herbal-dogkeeping.com/dog_nervo...bilitation.html

[becky thatcher]

Thanks for that persephone.

Worth passing on that website to my folks.

I know I am a bit medical science biased

[alpha bet]

One thing that is always worth considering is some massage..... Horses are very prone to stress and they respond amazingly well to massage - the dog industry once agains is lagging seriously behind.

You don't need to get to complicated or pay a 'professional'

Slow rythmic circular rubs starting behind the ears and work slowly down the neck and either side of the spine. Also remember to work each side of the dog at the same time. Also a rub around the shoulders. You will often see the dog yawn and lick their lips..... their eyes soften and if you pause occasionally the dog will often have a shake and then push back into your hands. Often the dog will position his body where he wants the massage.

I have often had dogs in the kennel who can appear 'depressed' - If given a bit of time to settle and then try some massage with them it amazes me how they relax and become more bouncy with us. Sometimes in training I have had dogs who get stressed and worried using massage will often calm them making them easier to focus on new situations.

It costs nothing to try and can give a feeling of well being to both the dog and the handler.....

[becky thatcher]

One thing that is always worth considering is some massage..... Horses are very prone to stress and they respond amazingly well to massage - the dog industry once agains is lagging seriously behind.

You don't need to get to complicated or pay a 'professional'

Slow rythmic circular rubs starting behind the ears and work slowly down the neck and either side of the spine. Also remember to work each side of the dog at the same time. Also a rub around the shoulders. You will often see the dog yawn and lick their lips..... their eyes soften and if you pause occasionally the dog will often have a shake and then push back into your hands. Often the dog will position his body where he wants the massage.

I have often had dogs in the kennel who can appear 'depressed' - If given a bit of time to settle and then try some massage with them it amazes me how they relax and become more bouncy with us. Sometimes in training I have had dogs who get stressed and worried using massage will often calm them making them easier to focus on new situations.

It costs nothing to try and can give a feeling of well being to both the dog and the handler.....

Thanks for that AlphaBet! Worth a try

[sas]

Flea's aren't anything to be ashamed about, all dogs encounter fleas at some stage whether they are inside or outside dogs

Also fleas have to bite the dog before they die generally so they could still be irritating the dog

St Johns Wort is a herbal remedy for depression and is actually clinically proven. My dog went on it after he came of Clomicalm, he was weaned off it about 8 weeks ago and is doing really well.

Something as simple as Vit. B can help dogs with mild behavioural problems as can trace elements, simply being slightly defcient in one mineral can spark a human or canine body to play up physically and mentally.

I give my old girl Valerian during storms and she'll settle down and go to sleep.

St Johns Wort is a herbal remedy for depression and is actually clinically proven.

In humans, depends on which country did the clinical trial. Anyway, lets not get into that can of worms

Vitamin B is a good one, thanks for reminding me. Executive Stress for Humans is great.

I have a hypnosis CD for thunderstorms (which are brewing here in Perth right now as we speak)

Clinical Trial was in Australia actually.

CD for thunderstorms only work to a certain degree as there are smells and energies also associated with storms that dogs get concerned by.

Good Luck

[sas]

Thanks for that persephone.

Worth passing on that website to my folks.

I know I am a bit medical science biased

Which is fine because many natural products have clinical trials behind them

[becky thatcher]

Clinical Trial was in Australia actually.

Do you have a link?

Edited March 1, 2010 by becky thatcher

[becky thatcher]

Well I am stumped, Sas, I have just been searching on "Australian New Zealand Clinical trial Registry" and can't find what you are referring to.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

I'd try something alternative for sure. I was just reading that acupuncture can help depression. I've had great success with dog behavioural problems from the use of Chinese herbs!

As for fleas, this year has been terrible. You need to use a monthly protection such as Advantage or Advocate - keep right on top of it!

[sas]

Clinical Trial was in Australia actually.

Do you have a link?

Na, but you can speak to your local GP or if you Google you should be able to find something.

[sas]

Well I am stumped, Sas, I have just been searching on "Australian New Zealand Clinical trial Registry" and can't find what you are referring to.

Ask yoru GP, good place to start Or Drug companies

[becky thatcher]

sas, GP's have the same access to info on Clinical trials as we, the general public, do.

I have looked for clinical trials on The Australian and New Zealand Clinical trials Registry website on St Johns Wort and the botanical name hypericum. Since nothing comes up, I have to assume that a clinical trial in Australia does not exist, unless you can find me the link.

And I am not taking a study of 20 people that Blackmores did or something like that seriously.

Since you insisted that a Clinical trial was done in Australia, then I would like to see it, with all the strict criteria that clinical trials involve.

Thanks

[becky thatcher]

I'd try something alternative for sure. I was just reading that acupuncture can help depression. I've had great success with dog behavioural problems from the use of Chinese herbs!

As for fleas, this year has been terrible. You need to use a monthly protection such as Advantage or Advocate - keep right on top of it!

Thanks for that, the chiropractor says that she can help too.

[persephone]

Ok- Today on radio 891 Adelaide , Carole Whitelock is apparently discussing dog depression and the use of human AD's,with dr Robert Holmes (the behaviourist with the most mellifluous voice )

It supposedly can be listened to online HERE..but I have never done so.