Side effects:
-The second week we saw a serious decrease in her appetite, which is exactly the opposite of what should happen. I emailed our vet and he said to ride it out if we could. I went out and bought some "junk food" to put a tiny bit into her normal food to see if that would encourage her to eat. It did and she is now eating slightly less, but closer to normal. She is eating probably 2 cups instead of 2.5 cups. (compared to less than a cup during the non-eating week).
-No others
Behaviour:
This is the most important. What we have noticed is that while she still gets upset by the same things, she is able to cope better. She just takes a baby and hides. We don't get the frantic behaviour. No obsessive barking. No destruction.
Because of this we will do another month.
Thank you for your suggestions/support from our last update. Blogville rocks!
Murphy and Stanley suggested to save money, getting her prescription filled at Costco. That is a great idea, however, Costco is a bit of a pain to get to from our house and we tend to go only every 4-6 weeks. If we aren't organized it could be an issue. Our local drugstore is on the way to the grocery store which we go to almost every week. We will stick with it there for now. Sometimes convenience trumps saving a few dollars!
Lily and Edward suggested working with a behaviourist. Several years ago we did explore that. She wasn't a good fit for us. Her main idea was to medicate Hailey first. She gave a few suggestions, which we worked on. Overall, we didn't find it helpful and she cost a lot of money. It was $500 for the initial visit. There isn't really another option in our area, so we will do our best without professional help.
I is keeping my paws crossed that what you're doing will work for Hailey and she'll get better and betterer
ReplyDeleteLoves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
Lee, I hope it works perfect for you and I hope so much to read good news after you got that meds for another month. The adventure you had with the behaviourist sounds like ours with the dog-whisperer... the only thing what changed was our account balance :o(
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteSeems that this may be the correct method for Hailey (and you) and paws crossed that it all truly does settle down.
Crikey, that behaviourist is surely cashing in!!! There is validity to the initial medication approach though - as you are perhaps finding out now - in the same way that quite often doctors will prescribe mild does of anti-depressant to those they feel will be able to work their way out of 'the blues' but need a forced break to kick start corrected behaviour. As Hailey learns that she can still be scared but safe at the same time, once meds stop that new behaviour ought to remain.
That is a lovely photo of her! hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
Hope Hailey gets better! Our Mommy tends to go the convenience route too. Grandma is always looking at store circulars for cheaper prices, butt Mommy is lazy and just goes to the stores closest to her. Mommy would rather pay a little more than drive out of her way for a deal.
ReplyDeleteMom says we sure need some help when peoples or kids or anyfing breathing comes to our door cos we sound like shrill banshees..................we are glad your girl is doing much better though, it seems like new medicine always takes time to work out the kinks. Hugs...stellie rose
ReplyDeleteLove that picture
That's a lot of loot. No way Jose not $500. When my friends pup was dealing with the same issues, her behaviorist ($150) actually said to approach the problem slowly. For example, the wind. Sit outside in the wind. Play, give treats etc. Stay outside for 10, go in for 2 go back out for 15 with treats and play etc.
ReplyDeleteOther pups-fear aggression- ask to walk with the other pup. Keep ignoring and walking and giving a treat here and there. Don't stop walking. These suggestions by our friends behaviorist worked after two or three times
Glad to hear the meds are helping a bit
Snorts,
Lily & Edward
I'm glad you have found something that is helping her. Watching them struggle is so hard. I hope she continues to do well with this new medication.
ReplyDeleteHailey...I'm so glad you are feeling better. Im sure feeling anxious was no fun!
ReplyDeletehugs madi your bfff
We're glad the meds are helping. Just a thought...maybe acupuncture could help? I did a lot of reading on it prior to taking Hiker in and anxiety was something that it apparantly can help with. Acupuncture here is reasonably priced and done by a veterinarian.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the medication seems to be helping!
ReplyDeleteI'm very glad to hear it seems to be making a difference. I am interested to see what the next month brings as well!
ReplyDeleteღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
We think that the two French Bulldogs are right about there advice.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the meds are helping and hope they will continue to help!
ReplyDeletehugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
We're very glad Hailey is starting to feel better. At least if she's somewhat calm she can learn to cope with the things that scare her. She is very lucky to have such an understanding and patient family!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad she's feeling better!
ReplyDeleteThis is good news! I am crossin' my paws for you gurl!!
ReplyDeleteKisses,
Ruby ♥
We'll keep our paws crossed!
ReplyDeleteI am really glad that you decided to continue with the medication and that you are noticing that she's coping better. I'm sorry about the food side effects but I've read that goes away when they are more used to the drugs.
ReplyDeleteDoes she take treats at all when she's upset? Also, I'm not sure if you saw my post about reactivity but there is a website called Tawzer Dog that sells and rents dog seminar dvds. You might want to look into their rental program and see if they ship to Canada. You can rent seminars on behavior modification. I would suggest getting Pat Miller's Real Solutions to Canine Behavioral Problems. That was an excellent seminar. They have a bunch of really good ones, though! It's so much cheaper than going to a behaviorist.
hopefully over time as she learns the new behaviors of calming down instead of fretting she might need less medication.
ReplyDeleteGlad the meds seem to be helping.
ReplyDeleteWe're glad to hear this is helping her, and that the side effects seem to be abating. It sounds like you are on the right track here.
ReplyDeleteWe're glad to hear Hailey is doing better on her meds. We hope she continues to improve.
ReplyDeletePaws crossed for ya Lee.
ReplyDeleteAroo to you,
Sully
I hope that the improvements keep coming! It's great to make yourself sit down and evaluate the effects over time (and write them down so you can remember how things were before). I'm glad you're going to keep with it a bit longer.
ReplyDeleteWe use a mail-order vet pharmacy to save $. Our vet can approve our request on-line (we place the order, and she gets a notice that she needs to approve it). It's been a great system for us. Maybe you can find a place like that?
We is happy that Hailey is doing better. Thanks for the update.
ReplyDeleteKisses
Nellie
I'm glad to hear Hailey is doing better and that you found a way go get her to eat closer to normal amounts. That's a crazy high price for the behaviorist - no wonder so many people are calling themselves "dog whisperers"!
ReplyDeleteI hope things get better.
ReplyDeletelove
tweedles
Hailey-girl, you are doing so well. We've got our paws crossed that things will continue to improve.
ReplyDeleteWally & Sammy
Glad to hear she's doing better.......sometimes change comes in "baby steps"......whatever works!
ReplyDeleteHugs, sammy
Dear Ojo's Cousin Lee,
ReplyDeleteWe are glad that whatever the people are putting into you is helping. I take medications too.
This is embarrassing, but I will share it. It is because I was a Rescue Puppy and spayed very young, and so I don't have enough estrogen in my body and when I fall asleep I pee... But not anymore, because I take pills! And for the first time in my entire life I am allowed to sleep on Bed and Couch!
So I hope your pills help you just as much as mine do!
Licks,
Cobi
Cobi, Mazie is on medicine for the same thing because of something to do with when she was spayed. It is no biggie and she has been on it for 7yrs and doing great!
DeleteSo happy that Hailey's medicine is helping her! Keeping paws and fingers crossed that things continue on a positive note!
ReplyDelete