Hi all, thought I'd ask your advice on this one as you've been so helpful in the past.
My GSD bitch (just under 3yrs old) has been with us now for about five months. She's doing really well (you may
remember her - we had some real problems when we got her- rescue case). She is doing much better but still frets an a
awful lot. I don't think it's helping her weight. She's not drastically under weight but I'd like to see her carry a
bit more weight (Vet says she could gain some too). What I wondered was if any of you had any herbal suggestions
to calm her a bit - she frets alot. I have used Bachs Rescue Remedy with my horse with sucess and wondered if anyone
had tried it with dogs or anything similar. All comments and suggestions welcome.

Thanks

KirstyS

I'd certainly try Rescue Remedy, I use it on my dogs when necessary.

How many meals a day do you give your girl, it might help if you increase the number to help her get more weight on. There are 1 or 2 calming herbal mixes, unfortunately I can't remember them off hand but I am sure one of the others who show will remember them. I'll look them up later if no-one else has found them but haven't the time at the moment.

Otherwise, just carry on as you are doing. She is already doing a lot better and will no doubt improve further with you. Congratulations,

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

She's fed twice a day - unfortunately I work and my neighbour attends to my two in the middle of the day but trying to keep my gutsy lab out of my GSD's feed bowl is more than I can ask her to do. So she gets fed morning and night and is on a performance feed to try and boost her weight but if she doesn't learn to relax she's never going to put it on really. She's not rakey just a bit under weight and very stressy all the time.

KirstyS

Have you tried a Turkey/Rice Dog Food? Turkey contains a high content of tryptophan an amino acid which is a precurser to seratonin. It may help calm her down so her nervous engergy won't burn up all her calories. Supposedly, the reason a warm class of milk before bedtime helps put you to sleep is because of the high level of tryptophan contained in milk.
But, don't give her milk . . . or you may have to make alot of 'tryps' to potty.:D :D :D

Will give it a try she is currently on a chicken andrice kibble diet. I'll see if turkey makes a difference. Thanks for that.

Have you looked into the Rescue remedys to help 'destress' her? Thi smight help her to start to utilise what she is fed a little better?
Just a thought.........

Fran

I have thought about using a Bach flower remedy/rescue remedy or herbal supplement in her tea but not sure how often to give it to her and whether she should get it in her food or not. Any suggestions would be appreciated. P.S. how do you insert the wee smiley faces?

Kirsty S

It very much depends on what form her stress takes as to what specific flower remedy you use - Holland and Barrat usually carry a good range, and there's a book called The Bach Remedies Repertory which my local H & B carries ( I bought my own copy - but not until I'd had a good 'browse' in the shop) I'd suggest having a look at this book and try and work out which treatment is best for her symptoms. Flower remedies can be dropped directly on to the tongue (but don't touch the tongue with the dropper) if she will allow this, other wise drop them onto a piece of bread or similar (I like to use something 'bland'). They can be used as often as felt necessary in acute cases, or regularly each day for chronic ones..........

HTH

Fran

Kirsty, click on Help at the top of the forum page :-)