In mild to moderate Nosie Phobia cases, there are some new Herbal and Nutraceutical supplements that can be tried along with behavior and environmental modification, before moving on to prescription drugs! 

Anxitane and Harmonease are two examples of natural anti-anxiety supplements. Ask your veterinarian if a natural supplement might be helpful for your dog.

A veterinary clinical research study was recently published showing benefit from product called Anxitane that contains the amino acid L-Theanine or Suntheanine.  This amino acid is also found in green tea.  It has recently become available as a veterinary product called Anxitane.  This product will not produce instant results. In most cases it takes 1-2 months on Anxitane to see an improvement in anxious behavior, although occasionally benefit may be seen as early as 2 weeks.   

Anxitane Information Brochure

New Research: Managing Anxiety in Dogs  An article on the use of Anxitane for anxiety disorders in dogs.

Another herbal anti-anxiety option is Harmonease tablets. They lower stress without causing lethargy.  For treating noise phobia they ideally should be started about 1 week before the anticipated event and continued through the season.  This 2nd link will provide additional information and more background on Harmonease.  Many Veterinary Behavior Specialists are seeing positive results with this natural product.

IDEALLY THE PRESCRIPTION BEHAVIOR MODIFYING DRUGS ARE RESERVED FOR SEVERE CASES, OR WHEN OTHER TREATMENTS HAVE FAILED, OR HAVE NOT IMPROVED SYMPTOMS TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL.  Just as when we diagnose and prescribe drugs for other medical conditions, an exam and office consult is needed to select and monitor the most appropriate prescription drug.

Again, these drugs work best when combined and added to environmental modicfication and other relaxation techniques. However, if you feel your dog is in distress, and you do not have time to try the other techniques, we may need to start drug therapy immediately.  The other treatments can be added in later.  

It is important to realize noise phobia can be a very serious problem of emotional distress to both dog and owner. Serious injury to the dog and/or home may occur if we do not take rapid action.  An appointment with your veterinarian is needed to discuss all medication and treatment options.  We will briefly outline some of the medication options below.

1.    Benzodiazepines (drugs such as Valium or Alprazolam are in this class) 

2.      Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors or SSRIs (such as Fluoxetine or Reconcile)

3.      Tricyclic Antidepressants or TCAs (such as Clomipramine or Clomicalm). 

4.   Tranquilizers such as Acepromazine.  Acepromazine was commonly used in the past but is now no longer recommended. Acepromazine may cause sedation, and can give a false sense that the dog is ?better?, but it does not relieve anxiety. The dog may still suffer but be immobilized giving a false sense that the medication is working. 

IN MILD TO MODERATE CASES, ESPECIALLY IF NO ADVANCE PREPARATION IS POSSIBLE, THE RAPID ACTING BENZODIAZEPINES ARE OFTEN CHOSEN. There is a wide range of doses for drugs in this class and dogs vary widely in their response to them. Often the dose needs to be titrated to effect and to the individual patient.  The goal is to titrate to a dose that causes mild to moderate sedation, with possible mild ataxia (in-coordination), a preference for sleep, but still allows the ability to respond, come when called, eat etc. 

Giving some test doses of a benzodiazepine before the stressful event is recommended. The drug should be given at least 30-60 min prior to the noise event.  The benzodiazipines may have side effects of sedation, ataxia (loss of coordination), and increased appetite.  In a few rare individuals hyperexcitability may be seen instead of relaxation.  Trying these drugs prior to need to determine response and proper dose is recommended.  Close communication with your veterinarian will be important to determine how to use dose and use them properly.  These drugs can be used off and on, as needed, as noise events arise. 

IF STORMS ARE FREQUENT AND LONG TERM, OR THE NOISE PHOBIA IS SEVERE, THE LONGER ACTING SSRIs OR TCAs MAY BE NEEDED. 

These drugs must be given on a long term, daily basis.  It usually takes several weeks before these drugs become effective.  Ideally they should be started very early in the spring before storm season starts, or several weeks before fireworks season.  A veterinary physical exam and laboratory blood work are recommended before starting these medications, and should be repeated periodically with long term use.  It is important that your veterinarian review your pet's  full drug history before starting these drugs as there can be many interactions with other medications (Amitraz, Tramadol, Phenobarbital, other SSRIs/TCAs, thyroid medications, Phenobarbital, and even over the counter herbal remedies).  The SSRIs and TCAs can occasionally have some gastrointestinal side effects such as decreased appetite or nausea.  While on the longer acting SSRIs or TCAs, if anxiety is still present when storms or fireworks occur, one of the benzodiazepines can be added in for additional benefit.

THERE IS HOPE FOR THE STORM OR NOISE PHOBIC PET!  For best results, utilizing several different therapies will be much more effective than relying on a single treatment or a drug. Behavior modification should be started early on in the season, or even in the off season.  A veterinary exam and consultation should be scheduled if drug therapy is required. Drugs should ideally be started and tested for response prior to their use for noise events.  Drugs can have positive effects if used appropriately and along with other therapies.  Drugs can have side effects and require veterinary monitoring.  There is no single simple answer to noise phobia, but there are many things that we can do to reduce the anxiety and distress that our pets are feeling. If your dog is suffering from noise phobia, please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to tailor a treatment program for your pet.

 For Other Treatment Methods to Treat Noise Phobias Click the Links Below