Pixie had to go on Xanax
 

Pixie developed a severe fear of thunder a couple of years ago and it has gotten progressively worse. She panics if she hears rain, thunder, planes or other loud noises. Even with the thunder shirt and natural calming medicine she is out of her mind scared. We are having heavy rain and storms with more predicted over the next two days. Pixie was so worked up I called her vet and she told me to come get some Xanax. It has helped a lot but she is wobbly on her feet. The vet said to give her 1/8 to 1/4 a tablet. I gave her closer to 1/4 because she was so stressed. I think next time I'll give her 1/8 and I can give it to her before she gets so worked up. Anyone else have experience with Xanax?

Aw! Poor Pixie! I hope it helps her to calm down some. I took it once for about 3 weeks... it took the edge off. It's so scary when they get that upset. Praying for Pixie Girl....:D

I am so sorry Pixie is having so much trouble. That's just an awful thing. To have to have Xanax because it is so bad makes it all the more worse. Sending {{{Hugs}}} for you and Pixie and hoping the Xanax helps.

Poor sweet Pixie.. hopefully you can get the dosage that helps her.. ((hugs))

Kyra started this with storms about a month ago. I usually just try to hold and calm her but it doesn't help much so I understand what you are going through. Her little body quivers, she pants excessively and hides her little head in my arm. It is so sad watching them like that.

Poor Dixie! So glad the vet had something for her. We have an 11 year old shepherd afraid of storms and a 6 year old rat terrier that has separation anxiety. Our vet has us use Benedryl based on their weights. He has told us the correct doses for each using the liquid. We put it over something yummy for them and they lap it right up. So far, it's been working great. Just another option to ask your vet about if you don't like the Zanex. Hoping she's doing okay. Stay safe in those storms!

Poor Pixie.....I hope the meds help to calm her without the side effects. It must be so awful feeling so afraid! :(

I take it daily and Guinness has to take it when Ryan goes out of town for work.

Praying the meds help. I seem to be reading about a sudden onset of this problem more and more. I wonder what is causing it. Bless her heart! (and bless your heart - I know you just want your baby to be okay...she will be soon)

Thanks! Pixie is finally resting comfortably. After the Xanax kicked in she just wanted to be in my arms. She has now gone into her bed and sleeping. She is still a little jumpy at any loud noise but stopped the shaking and panting. I hated to put her on it but she wouldn't eat and had been in extreme distress for so long I was afraid for her. The rain has slowed down so that is also helping but we are predicted to have more rain and thunder later tonight and through to Friday. I am hoping the Xanax will give her a chance to calm down and catch a breath before more storms. I wonder if she will ever go back to not being afraid like she was her first 5 years? It's heartbreaking to see them so scared.

When Cali needs it we use the liquid Xanax. She weighs 3 lbs-13 oz and I give her 0.1 or 0.2 mg per dose. She is totally able to function on that dose, eats, watches out the car window, runs around and plays etc., but no anxiety.
At the most I give it twice a day, but usually only needs it couple times a week or some weeks not at all - depends on how many hawks she see and thinks she is going to have to fight.

If I use a 0.25 mg tablet .1mg would be 1/8 and .2 mg would be about a 1/4 of the tablet. She googles it right down with some cheese!

I really like how she can totally function on it, although if she sits still in her car seat she will doze, but is up looking out the window on and off.

Hope this helps. The vet originally said .1 mg, but I found the .2 sometimes works better. I don't give it unless she really needs it. I don't know much about addiction or dependence in dogs, but in adults the FDA only approves it for 3 to 6 months, at the outside one year use, due to its high addiction/dependence properties. For humans it can be very hard to get off of it with long term use. Of course, I don't have that problem with Cali, but do experience that issue with many if my patients.

I'll be really curious how it goes -- please keep us updated! I forgot to ask the vet the other day, so I may give them a call tomorrow and ask about Xanax for the upcoming thunderstorm season.

Jackson is 4 1/2 and has just gotten worse with thunder. :( Rain, wind, etc does not bother him... it's just thunder (and guns, fireworks, etc).

So is Xanax something that can be used every now and then? Like, it's not something that has to be taken every day, right, to be effective? (I wouldn't be comfortable with that). If I know that a storm is coming, I would probably just give him a small dose.

yorkiemini: I did not know there was a liquid Xanax - how do you give it to Cali?

I'd rather a dog have a bit of Rx help than suffer fear and panic as much as I hate to give a dog something scary like a tranquilizer. I'll bet she's feeling much better sleeping rather than shaking and scared to death.

So is Xanax something that can be used every now and then? Like, it's not something that has to be taken every day, right, to be effective? (I wouldn't be comfortable with that). If I know that a storm is coming, I would probably just give him a small dose.

Yep, I only give it now and then when she needs it. It kicks in fully in a out 20 to 30 minutes.

I have only found one place where they carry the liquid(Walgreens) - you will have to call around and then your vet can write you a rx. Almost any pharmacy can get it for you but it may take them a day or two.

I draw it up in a insulin (small) syringe then draw up a little bit of honey (so it tastes good) and just squirt it in from the side between her teeth. She does not seem to mind it. Course she gets a little treat after she takes it!

I only use it a couple days a week when I know I will be on the highway with big trucks, and then only use it twice a day then.

Yea it's as needed. Yorkiemini thanks that helps. Pixie is 4.4 lbs but vet has her at 5.0 (since she has lost weight since her last visit). The pills she gave me is .50 and she said 1/8 to 1/4. it just stated thundering again and Pixie is frantic again. i am going to give her 1/8 tablet now to see if we can get some sleep tonite.

I feel so bad for Pixie! Libby is the same way and why both she and Pixie got this sudden fear is beyond me. I hope you sleep tonight...sweet Pixie too!

Not looking good for sleep tonight. Thunder is rattling the house and Pixie is beyond freaked out. I think she is trying to climb in me.

Oh no, poor Pixie! Patti, can you put some cotton balls in her ear...would that help? Probably not, hope the thunder goes away & you & Pixie can get some rest along w/ the girls.
When we had a bad thunder storm some months ago, mine wanted to be in the bathtub, so I put pillows in there & turned on the fan & radio. They were all shaking like leaves, but seemed to calm down a little in the tub.

OMG that's so funny.... that's where my Mom's dog used to go when it stormed.

Hope it works as well for you. Now that I know what gets Cali so nervous I give it to her BEFORE she gets upset just like you are thinking of doing. Works great!

Ugh I'm so sorry. I know about those restless nights. Hope Pixie is feeling better today!

Poor Pixie! I know how upsetting it is to see these little ones panicked. Praying you can find the right thing to help soothe her.

I read once about why dogs like the bathtub during storms and now I don't remember what it is. Is your tub a cast iron one? Our Airedale always went to our cast iron tub during storms and she would try digging through the bottom.

How sweet that you made the tub a nice comfy getaway for the pups. :)

Patti i pray that Pixie can calm down soon so that you both can rest

Thanks. After I gave her the Xanax (1/8 pill) it still took hours for her to settle down. Finally, around 4 she calmed down. It started thundering again at 7 am and she came up on the bed and after a couple of minutes just laid next to me and went to sleep. She has been sleeping all day. I know she is exhausted. I don't know why 6 hours after the Xanax she finally calmed down. I thought it would work faster but maybe not. I am just glad she is calmed down for now. The severe storms have moved south of us so I am hoping thunder storms are over for now.

It usually works more quickly than that, but glad it helped. I wonder if the liquid gets into the system faster. Then again, it could be related to the degree of anxiety that is going on.

Glad she got some rest.

I'm glad Pixie is finally resting.

Poor little baby doll :(

I hope she does well, thank goodness you take care of her and everyone else takes care of their lils!