Thunderstorm phobias and VT after the hurricane

Cold River Veterinary Center Fall 2011

After the storm

Kingsley Mill
East Clarendon, VT

Hurricane Irene moved up the spine of the Green Mountains in Vermont on Sunday August 28, 2011 dumping up to 11 inches of rain on some parts of the State, washing out roads, bridges, homes, and flooding agricultural land.

The photograph above shows the 200-year old Kingsley Grist Mill hanging precariously over Mill River in Clarendon, VT after its foundation went downstream in the hurricane. The Mill is 1/4 mile from our clinic. See the storm video below:

Mill River at Kingsley Covered Bridge, Clarendon VT

Indoor and outdoor molds are a potential stressor from rainy weather in late summer. Inhaled mold spores increase mucus production in the airways leading to congestion or shortness of breath. Constricted or congested airways can interfere with sleep, leading to fatigue and irritability.

To help reduce the mold load indoors I recommend using a high efficiency particulate absorber or HEPA air filter where the animals sleep.

During the day open windows, chimney flues, basement or cellars and interior doors to permit better air flow and evaporation.

At CRVC we diagnose mold allergies using serum antibody testing. A desensitization program can involve environmental management, nutritional therapy, and oral administration of dilute homeopathic extracts of specific allergens.

To receive an allergy test kit (it requires a small blood sample) contact our office at the telephone number below.

Nutritional therapy for Anxiety

Dr. Kruesi reminds clients of the importance of diet, digestion, and nutritional imbalances in animals with thunderstorm or noise phobia. Food has a direct impact on intestinal bacteria and brain chemistry. It is the safest behavioral modifier of domestic animals.

At CRVC we treat animals with hyperactivity disorders, chronic tension or anxiety through a healthy diet, nutrition, ortho-molecular therapy, prescription drug withdrawal, and chiropractic care.

To make an appointment call: (802) 747-4076

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First Aid for Thunderstorm phobia

I read about an alternative understanding of dog's thunderstorm anxiety that I want to share with my clients. Here are parts of a multi-pronged approach that I tailor to the individual patient.For years veterinarians have prescribed anti-anxiety medications to dogs that suffer intense fear (phobia) or anxiety from thunderstorms. It has not been clear if these patients were reacting to the noise, ozone, flashes of light, wind, rain, creaking trees, a drop in atmospheric pressure, or some combination of these stimuli.

A recent article by Dr. Nicholas Dodman proposes that dogs are most affected by the electrical discharge or static that accumulates under certain atmospheric conditions. We have speculated that seizures may be triggered by changes in barometric pressure or perhaps gravitational forces under certain lunar or weather patterns but this was a practical theory for the uncanny ability of animals to sense an oncoming storm and seek safer ground.

Dr. Dodman, a Board-certified animal behaviorist explained that "about 50 percent of storm-phobic dogs climb into the sink, bath, jacuzzi, shower pedestal, or squeeze themselves behind toilet tanks or up against metal radiators or pipes during storms. Presumably they have found by trial and error that there is some degree of protection in these locations. All of these locations represent electrical grounds that would dissipate any built-up static charge."

Read more > >

Give your dog a thunderstorm wrap

A variety of natural and artificial medications have been sold for thunderstorm phobia in dogs without good clinical trials to prove their efficacy. We've trialed some of them and have a few favorites based on the time needed before a therapeutic effect, safety, and acceptance by dogs or cats. Dr. Kruesi may prescribe anti-anxiety therapy depending on the individual case, since the dose, frequency, and potential adverse effects make a one-size-fits-all approach innaccurate.

Thunderstorm wraps like the one shown below can provide some relief.

TTouch Body Wrap

We created a TTouch Body Wrap fact sheet in 2004 which we have posted on our website ever since. It is one of our most poplular webpages! Here's the link: http://www.crvetcenter.com/ttouch.php.

There are more anxiety wrap options at First Aid for Thunderstorm Phobias on our website.

William K. Kruesi, M.S., D.V.M., C.V.A., C.A.C.

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