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https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-treatment

Anxiety Treatment For Dogs Your veterinarian will assess your dog for underlying causes and may recommend antianxiety medications They can be fastacting shorterduration meds utilized for emergency situational use or for longeracting medications that are used to manage daily stress You can help your dog avoid anxiety by making sure he gets enough exercise and time every day You may also wish to consider pheromone diffusers or collars that release synthetic hormones similar to the ones used by mothers of dogs to calm their young Medicines Many prescription medications are used to treat anxiety in dogs However should your pets anxiety is due to pain or illness addressing these issues will often reduce or eliminate the need for medication Desensitization of the source of your dogs fear is also possible by exposing them to their trigger over time in a controlled way until they stop reacting negatively For instance if your dog is scared of being in a car you can gradually introduce them to the vehicle over time by taking them to the places they usually visit or play at offering them treats and rewarding them for doing it You can gradually increase the time spent in the car as long as your dog is able to behave well Medications used to treat anxiety in dogs can also differ in their effects and adverse reactions Your vet can help you choose the right medication for your pet Theyll also be able suggest alternatives that are not pharmaceutical such as calming supplements such as pheromone collars and Calmer Canine a new nonprescription product that can help reduce pet anxiety by stimulating the vagus nerve which sends a signal brain to help it relax Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs which stop the reabsorption and release serotonin in the brain are a very popular option They can take up four weeks to work but are effective in treating anxiety that is chronic Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline Clomicalm and clomipramine also work to manage anxiety by increasing levels of norepinephrine and acetylcholine as well as other neurotransmitters that affect mood Dexmedetomidine Sileo is an alpha2 adrenoceptor agonist which is approved to ease the effects of anxiety in situations such as fear of noise or aversion to sound by reducing activity in specific areas of the brain and reducing the bodys response to stress It is most effective when administered at the earliest sign of anxiety or prior to the triggering sound event Natural calming products like chamomile have been proven to decrease anxiety and are available overthecounter However the purity quality and efficacy of these products can vary a lot among different manufacturers and brands It is therefore important to look for an established brand with topquality ingredients Behavior Modification The treatment for anxiety in dogs usually begins with the modification of their behavior This could involve training and desensitization techniques that allow dogs to be more comfortable in the face of anxiety triggers Certain anxiety triggers are more receptive to counterconditioning pairing the negative stimulus with high value reinforcement than others and each case is individual To ensure safety and correct technique its essential to have a certified dog behaviorist or veterinary behaviourist guide your training techniques Dogs also benefit from medications that treat anxiety Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants regulate neurotransmitter balance in order to reduce anxiety and encourage calm Benzodiazepines such as diazepam or lorazepam can provide shortterm relief from panic attacks and severe anxiety Certain dogs are calmed with herbal remedies like CBD oil and Melatonin If a medication is prescribed a veterinarian should be consulted to ensure the proper dosage and the management of any side effects Environmental management is also an important aspect of treating anxiety in dogs In cases of separation anxiety for example it may mean limiting interactions between dogs and owners when the owner is working or away from home employing a white noise machine to muffle outside sounds when owners are out and about and counseling owners on how to redirect their dogs attention when the dogs are exhibiting anxious behaviors such as chewing digging or inappropriate elimination Crate use is typically discouraged in the event of a safety concern unless absolutely necessary as crates can be considered by dogs with anxiety as punishment for their actions In general behavioral treatment can be paired with medications to improve overall effectiveness Medication takes time to work and doesnt directly address the root cause of the behavior This is why it is advisable that a medication be started prior to or concurrent with the modification of behavior to lessen the frequency of stressful events while the dog is learning how to deal with them This helps the dog focus on modifying their behavior and can increase the chance of success Once the dog is able to understand how to manage their anxiety the medications can be weaned or discontinued based on the medication and its effectiveness Training Are your dogs afraid of thunder or fireworks Do they flee or run away in fear Do they rub their body or furniture to calm themselves Are they susceptible to panic attacks If your dog exhibits any of the following behaviors they could be suffering from anxiety Anxiety can cause numerous issues such as aggression destructive behavior and selfmutilation To stop the condition from reaching dangerous levels it is important to be aware of and treat it Treatments for anxiety can comprise a combination of behavioral modification and prescription medication Your veterinarian will recommend a treatment plan dependent on the reason and severity of the anxiety Certain dogs suffer from generalized anxiety whereas others have specific phobias or phobias that are specific to a particular context such as being in a car in the home or in groominghandling situations Dogs with obsessivecompulsive disorders are identified by their repeated behavior such as licking their acral region spinning or chasing their tails andor biting themselves obsession Behavior modification to combat anxiety will usually concentrate on counterconditioning and desensitization These are techniques for training that combine your dogs anxiety trigger with highvalue reinforcement to help them learn to connect the trigger with positive experiences anxiety treatment at home takes patience and persistence to get your dog accustomed to their anxiety triggers Antianxiety medication can be beneficial in certain situations particularly when the dogs behavior is severe The most frequently used medications are those in the category of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants TCAs Both of them increase serotonin and norepinephrine which regulate alertness mood and stress responses The SSRIs boost brain activity quickly and offer immediate relief from anxiety whereas the TCAs take weeks to achieve their maximum impact Its difficult to eliminate anxiety completely and every dog is unique By providing a secure environment a supportive one and working closely with your vet or dog behaviorist it is possible to reduce your dogs anxiety and stress Its not easy but the reward is well worth it Exercise Anxiety is an ordinary human emotion However it can cause destructive behavior in dogs and even depression Dogs may be anxious for various reasons such as being left in a quiet space or hearing loud sounds like fireworks and thunder Dogs may also be anxious around strangers or unfamiliar situations Some dogs may even display an ongoing anxiety state known as generalized anxiety disorder GAD Exercise is an excellent method to relieve anxiety in dogs and help them remain at peace While exercising your dogs body releases positive hormones called endorphins that can make them feel more relaxed and at ease Regular exercise is a great way to keep these happy hormones in circulation and help prevent anxiety from developing A greater amount of physical activity can lower your dogs level of stress by lowering its blood pressure and heart rate which decreases the cortisol stress hormone You can encourage your dog to be more active by taking them on regular walks or playing with them in the dog park or backyard You can also incorporate structured exercise to your dogs routine for example agility classes or obedience classes You can help your dog overcome anxiety by providing mental stimulation in addition to physical exercise Through engaging your dog in brainstimulating activities such as puzzles toys that give treats and training sessions you can assist them shift their focus away from the anxietyinducing stimuli and create a sense satisfaction Some pet owners use white noise or soothing music to calm their dogs anxiety These methods can be paired with other methods of treating anxiety and help calm your dog down when they experience a certain trigger such as loud noises or thunder In the end you and your vet will decide which anxiety treatment is the best for your dog Based on your dogs specific needs they could suggest longacting medications or shortterm relief as well in behavioral interventions and other methods that work together to provide comprehensive treatment for your dogs anxiety and stress