Can anyone tell me if they have a Dog that sometimes gets real nervious? He is a english cocker spanial, He is fine most of the time. When we take him to the vet he shakes real bad. When he looks out the door he sees something he will start the shakes. The vet gave me CLOMICALM yesterday to give him and I am at dismay about it. He is a wonderful well managed and very well obedient,great natured dog. Minds well loves everyone, I have noticed that he has been trying to eat dirt out of my plants.I know right? So I just dont know what to do with this medication to give or not to give. I dont want to give my dog something that might make him different in anyway at all. Because he is perfect..(except the shaking) I am concerned..

Thanks for all that can give me advise on this drug.

Does he only shake at the vets? If so I wouldn't worry too much, a lot of dogs shake then. They know that the vet gives injections ;-)

How old is he? Is this a new thing?

Your vet has seen your dog and thinks the shaking is due to fear so has prescribed something to help with this. Did you tell the vet when it is that your dog shakes is it just at the vets or at other times of stress, if you did then I would give the medication if you are not sure then make another appointment and go through everything with them to make sure they and you know what you are dealing with.

Look at it this way,the meds are to help.They are none addictive(as far as we know) they are to help, so try and if no improvement then stopthe treatment.You won't know till you try,but it'snotthe type of drug to lead to any long term bad side effects. It may well be exactly what he needs. Although shaking at the vets is nothing really and are you sure he's just not excited when he's shaking at the door??Is he anticipating a walk? maybe try the drug combined with someclose attentionwork near to the door moving gradually further away to help him if it is excitment or try teaching a good wait command at the door if he pulls you through it to help calm him down. Also is the door glass can he see other things through it thatare exciting him? All plays a part.

Clomicalm is for separation anxiety -would have thought Zylkene would make more sense as it is surely safer, the side effects given for Clomicalm are as follows:
In studies, the following adverse reactions have been reported: lethargy/depression, elevation in liver enzymes, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst.

Please ask your vet to give your dog a blood test in case there are any imbalances which might be causing this.  You must do this.

I see you are in the US :)

Generally with medication, it's better to have some sort of behaviour plan going as well. Have you been given one?

If a dog is generally anxious, you don't want it to be on meds for life (unless a very good reason) - you want the meds to open a window of opportunity for learning, so that for example you can do specific work on helping a dog feel less anxious by using some behaviour plan.

However many vets are not behaviourists (by that I mean the Uk understanding of this - someone who has studied dog behaviour, not necessarily a vet who has studied behaviour). So I'd perhaps try to get a referral to a good behaviourist who might help.

Lindsay
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