Hi everyone ,i hope there is someone out there who can help,Lola is past being terrified of the fireworks exploding everywhere here,i have tablets from the vets" ACP" i gave her 1 as directed last night but it had little effect on her ,& i cant stand to see the state she gets into is it safe to give her anymore ,? i can not get an answer from the vets ,& thought i would ask you all she weighs 21lb & is a Westie x Lhasa Apso, any help would be much appreciated Regards Sue T xx

ACP is a strong drug - I wouldn't give any more unless you speak to the vet.

Sue you need to keep calm down yourself :-) Lola is picking up on your 'worry' and that will upset her. I would not use acp unless I had no other viable option. Try being calm around her and act as much like nothing is amiss as possible. I have found the best way to deal with a worried dog is to carry on as normal and not to make to much fuss. If you are calm then Lola will pick up on this and will see that there is no reason to be afraid. It will take time. If you have any Bachs rescue remedy then give her some of that.

I wouldn't give ACP unless she is extremely distressed.
Try a homeopathic remedy ~ I have seen some fantastic results when using them.  :)

I agree with admins reply -put the telly on or the radio and keep the lights on so the flashes and bangs aren't as obvious and carry on your buisness -Easier said than done I know ;)

and drink a whole bottle of wine :D :D :D it won't help the dog but you won't hear her LOL

<joke>

Hi everyone,
I see the horror posting of people who give their dogs ACP (as prescribed by their vets).
Now I may be a bit dumb, but what is 'ACP'?  What do these initials stand for?
I gather that it is some sort of tranquiliser which paralyses the dog without numbing the brain.  If this is so why do vets still prescribe it for a dogs fear of fireworks.

Harry C

ACP is often given by vets as a premed. If it works properly, it is effective. But it has also been implicated as a trigger for epilepsy, which is why it needs to be given under veterinary supervision. For this reason it should never be given to dogs who have ever fitted.

Thanks Jeangenie,
But what do the initials ACP stand for?
Still
Harry C

Acepromazine - see http://www.cabtsg.org/ACP.html

Thanks Daisy,
Have been into your 'Link' and printed out the information.  Excelent info.  You guys on here never cease to amaze me with how fast you come up with the answers.
;)
Harry C

Try putting her in a soft bed inside a cage and cover it with a very thick quilt, she may feel safe  in there-good luck,

Mine's sitting under the desk here 'listening' to Queen on very loud - it seems to be calming her :) Not sure that I like it this loud tho' :D

Daisy

One of my freinds puts her t-shirts on her dogs for comfort. She believes it works. :-)

Its often prescribed for laminitic horses as a part sedative/part blood pressure reducer..ie it slows the blood to the affected area (the hooves) or so I am told. I had to give my horse 12 once - nearly took him off his feet it did.

if you cant get hold of your own vet, ring another surgery. They should be able to advise you.

OK, realise before I start this how weird it will sound, but you never know .........

My Lily has been climbing the walls this week - last night she was so bad that David ended up putting her in the car and driving down motorways for 2 hours as it was like war had broken out here. 

Tonight, she was winding up to be just the same.  He put a serviette on her head as a 'headscarf' (Gypsy Rose Lil :D LOL) and she has been 95% asleep for the night, with just the odd bit of notice taken of the loudest bangs?!?!?!

Weird but true for us, maybe worth a try for your dog?  I have a crepe type bandage in the dog cupboard, and I will be 'binding' her ears next time to see if it saves her (and us) another traumatic night.

Will crawl back to the funny farm now, but let me know if it works for anyone else. :D

M.

Brihow Collies - Oh how funny, I'll give it a go tho with my Cairn.
A

Not a hope, Hamish kept it on for ummm.. all of 30 secs. Oh well back to the drawing board.
A

They have subsided tonight. Could actually let Gemma out for 1/2 hour in the dark with only 1 bark :D
I remember when I was growing up, our Beardie used to go into my wardrobe (she wasnt allowed upstairs at all, but always darted up there) when there was fireworks and thunder!!!!!!!! I used to have to shut the door for her!!!!!!!!! And always make sure the bottom of the wardrobe was clear!!!!!! She used to lay there and shake :( :( poor babe.
Glad she isnt around now, as I am positive fireworks go on for longer periods now to what they used to.
Lea.

Ok, I am a very Lucky dog owner!
My 2 year old Lab hardly flinches when a fire work goes off, if she's sleeping and a loud one goes off, she might wake up but then she gives out a big sigh (as if to say those silly humans are blowing up money again) and then goes back to sleep.
On Saturday night there was a big display about half a mile away at the village Rugby club. Being so near we only had to go out into the garden for a fab view. Emmy was with us and had a fab time. She actually sat and watched them!!! We were very careful to encourage play and laughter while it was all going on and made it a fun time for her. We have always done this, since she was a pup, as soon as there was a bang we'd encourage her to get a toy and play. It seems to have worked and I am so lucky she doesn't worry about them, I sympathise with all those people whose dogs get scared, does any body else have a laid back dog like mine?

My Border Collie who sadly is no longer with us used to sit in the garden and watch them with us, he never flnched, but he was totally bomb proof with everything.

My Dalmatian takes no notice, but my collie won't go out for a wee in the evenings, she is fine indoors though.

I have had a dog that was terrified, it was horrible to experience the terror she went through.

Sandra

I'm also (now) a very lucky dog owner! I was worried about my 3 year old, who has always hated loud bangs (inherited from his life before I rescued him). I got a new puppy 6 weeks ago, and was terrified it would rub off on her. In fact, she totally ignored all bangs and flashes, and Dylan followed suit! I am even able to walk them last thing at night with fireworks going off and they just ignore them and carry on. Admittedly, the really loud ones still make him jump, but he recovers in a matter of seconds and carries on.

Hi it's me again,

I have just had a conversation on the phone with my sister explaining how I put a headscarf on Hamish so he couldn't hear the fireworks. She was in stiches, (it was the thought of my little dog walking around looking like Gipsy Rose Lil)she couldn't speak she was laughing so much we ended up saying goodbye as we couldn't continue the conversation because of her laughing. Thanx for that Brihow Collies, it was one of those classic funnies that we'll laugh about in the future.
A
ps my sis has lots of problems with her cats and fireworks too

Hi Everyone ,a couple of weeks ago i asked for your help re ..Fireworks (an old chestnut i know !) i have had a few problems with PC, so i apologise for not getting back sooner ,thanks Admin & everyone else who came up with some great remedies (my favourite was Brihow Collies !) i tried it along with the Bachs Remedies,she looked incredably cute ,& had that "i dont give a t**s " look about her !! she didnt react quite as terrified as she has before ,allthough still very nervous & wary !  i also liked Chloe's option ,the bottle of wine did me no end of good !lol,i went to the vets & only accepted the tablets  as Lola was having such a bad time with fireworks etc ,i was not happy at the way she reacted to them .I have been told many times not to show my anxiety to her ,not to make a fuss of her when she is scared ,i was in fact SO laid back last time my family thought I had taken  Lolas tablets !!lol,but i defy anyone to not react when your pet is in such a distressed state ,Lola was never more than 2" from me whenever the fireworks were in full swing ,even a loud bang ,& she heads for the hills ,i am still not sure what the best option is !i do know that i turned to tablets as a last resort ,but i wont be doing that again ,once again thanks for all of your help.Regards Sue T xx