I like the idea of the thunder shirt but hate amazon hate buying stuff amazon 30 quid so I thought why not make my own.
Heres a link I found for a free version
Heres a sewing machine one
Maybe edot can comment if the sewing machine one is the right pattern?
I think i paid about US $40, and i think it was about chf 70 or so in fresnapf, so if you can do it for less, go for it.
I think there are two key points, one is that it fits around the neck, like a mock turtleneck, and then fits snug around the midsection but not so tight that you can't get your fingers underneath, but it doesn't require any legs fitting thorough it. Reminds me of a cape that's wrapped around the middle.
I've seen recommendations for diy using t shirts and/or bandages.
Quiet here most of the day, then late afternoon, leftover fireworks. Thundershirt went back on. Quiet dog.
As expected, it wasn't that bad around our apartment. There was some, but not really close to the house. I had all the shutters down, but in the end I managed to tempt my kitties to come on the balcony with me a little, by giving them lots of treats.
They were a bit nervous at first, but managed to relax a bit after. I hope I managed to turn it into somewhat of a positive experience and I hope they'll remember it too. (Before someone starts complaining: I didn't force them to do anything, they chose to come outside with me and were free to return inside whenever they felt like it.)
I think this might help with some dogs too. They also manage to condition police dogs to not be scared of gunfire for example. Might take some time though...
Most dogs who are 'merely' afraid can indeed be helped through DS/CC - but there are indeed some whose trauma goes far deeper. What we are talking about in this thread are dogs who, despite use of DS/CC and other fear management techniques still are unable to cope with the terrors of fireworks. These are exceptional cases, and sometime require exceptional steps to help them. As mentioned before, meds are generally used only in these exceptinal cases, only under veterinary supervision - and in conjunction with on-going behavioral work.
For those dogs who do not fall into this extreme category, a good thread discussing fear management techniques is:
My experience with this drug; previous year, at 12 o'clock, her breath was too fast, she scared me because I thought her heart would stop. But she layed in the bed with me.
This year, we went to a forest around 4pm to make her very tired. I gave calmex at 10pm with BARF, because I was afraid of the consequences if I hadn't given. She stayed in her crate isolated from lights. She did better this year. BARF & playing with the other dogs at forest must have made her very happy.
Renting a music studio might also be an option
Btw, I am happy to give you some of the Calmex to try.
Hmm I liked the idea of sewing Thundershirt because none of the sizes are any close to my dog's size. But I remember reading not to put thundershirts for long time. And I doubt, if ts keeps dogs calm by increasing the CO2 level in their blood. Maybe it is silly. But if it is really tight, they may be getting less air than they would normally get.
Vet has suggested Calmex and we will give it to them 1 hour before departure from Zurich. Right now I am more nervous than the dogs will be I'm sure.
I have a stinky T-shirt for the box which I'm told they will be happy to have. 2 dogs both about 14kg in the big number 7 box.
Any other tips??
(The rationale is that a sedated animal should always be monitored due to the risks - which is something one cannot do on a flight. Under sedation an animal, if nauseous from the movement of the plane, might vomit and then not be able to clear his airways and suffocate. Also, although this generally applies to long haul flights, sedation that does not last the entire flight can leave the animal even more afraid when he wakes up.)
So - determine if your flight will even allow sedated animals on board - as said, many do not. I would be especially worried with two dogs in one box - some animals become agressive when coming out of sedation, the possibility of a scuffle exists, even among dogs who are best buddies.
Do you really think sedation is needed? Have your dogs flown before?
(I do not sedate my dogs, as all my vets strongly recommend against it, even when flying halfway around the world. Instead I rely on getting them accustomed to the crate well ahead of the trip.)
The smelly T-shirt works well to calm a dog, but do make sure you are allowed to have things in the crate. (There was a time when flights to the US did not allow extraneous stuff in an animal crate, including padded bedding, because of drug smuggling.)
Good luck with the flight!
As for the thundershirt during fireworks, i use the three finger rule. If i can't fit 3 fingers inside the thundershirt, it's too tight. I did leave it on Lily for about 6 hours, but it worked really well, no excessive panting, distress, or anything.
Calmex has amino acids and B vitamins, but also kava kava, which i don't know much about.
Most incidents with pets travelling by air are due to tranquillizers. Please inform your vet to not give that advice any longer.
The best you can do is to train your dog to his travel crate. If he doesn't like the crate at first - leave the top off, install a cosy bed and work with treats. Later add the top (without the door) and a later stage also attach the door. And then train little by little to close the door - later leave the room for a minute and always a little longer.
If the crate fits in your car, have him drive around in that. And if he is not too heavy, even lift him around in the crate. All this will happen during the trip and if he has experienced this in a positiv manner (with treats) he will not be as stressed.
Many pet stores don't provide accurate information about the size of the travel crate. Your dog must be able to stand upright inside the crate without touching the roof with his head (not shoulders), turn around easily and lie down comfortably.
IATA provides the details on the minimum size crate you should have for your dog: http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/l...ges/index.aspx
The size is not just for his comfort, but also to assure sufficient airflow - especially for snub nosed dogs (i.e. Pugs, English Bulldogs) or when travelling during high temperatures. Don't safe money on the travel crate!
If you have a chance - go walk your dog near the airport (smell & noise).
Don't feed your dog short before check-in to avoid an upset stomach. They can easily go without food for a while. Water is important and should be provided at all times. If you can, freeze the water in the bowl, so it remains in the bowl until your dog is in the air.
Put in blankets that your dog is used to and even a piece of cloth that bears your scent.
I recommend not to put both dogs in one crate. They can react differently during a stressful situation and harm each other.
Hope all this helps - safe journey! (just realized you are flying today, so this may be a little too late... )
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And in regards to NYE and 1. August:
If you have a travel crate and your dog has gotten used to it - try using it when the fireworks go off. I got a dog myself that is really scared of fireworks. On 1. August, I didn't come up with that idea and he ran from one room to another. I tried to ignore him, but he went crazy. On NYE, I put a travel crate in our house two days before. On NYE when the first firework went off, he went into his crate and didn't leave it until the next morning (without me closing it).
Maybe for some other dogs this may work as well.
As mentioned in previously, many airlines refuse to take a sedated animal due to the significantly increased risk to the animal, as per Hank's post. I know of one person who was told it would be OK but when she arrived at the airport with a sedated dog was refused boarding.
Hoping all goes well with your move...
I would just say from personal experience that it usually is not necessary, nor recommended, to sedate "normal" housepets for air travel. My Samoyed (soon 2) has been on more flights than I have fingers, and time after time I get stopped at the airport by people thinking of traveling with their dog and wanting to know what I give him. The answer: a really good walk and water before the flight, and a big hug and chance to relieve himself ASAP afterwards (I'm toying with writing a short guide of best places to walk a dog near airports!) The human having a calm attitude will hopefully transfer to animal as well - they do "read" us.
Most airlines will refuse pets that are sedated, unless you have someone at the check-in desk that has no clue. Please bear in mind that drugs will act differently on high altitude (it's like drinking alcohol on a plane - it's doesn't take much to feel it).
You may want to contact other vets, as generally most vets are well educated and won't recommend sedation. Unfortunately, there's still some that have not studied the impact during air travels.
I've met pet owners that have used sedation on their pets - some were fine, some said their pets needed veterinary assistance after the trip (severe dehydration, etc.) and one owner told us their dog didn't make it. Most incidents for dogs & cats travelling by air are related to tranquillizers!
Personally, we have stoped pets from flying that were sedated, boarded them a day or two and shipped once they were completely awake again.
We recommend not to take pets on short holidays and if flying is needed, then get your dog used to the crate, that's the best you can do. Every dog can get used to the crate - some accept it immediately and some do require training. With enough consequence any dog can be crate trained.
In the end we decided not to give anything to out 2 dogs. Both in the crate were fine and Swiss were excellent in handling the dogs in the crate. At our destination the crate came thru on the carousel with the luggage which was sort of funny. Dogs were brilliant and showed little stress more curiosity.
Will do it again as tickets were cheaper than a kennel here!