I mentioned yesterday that we stopped by the vet on the way home. Honestly, Rita is such a difficult dog. She doesn’t do well with change. She doesn’t do well with being left alone even for a few minutes. Not a good time to have either of those issues with all that’s going on around here.
The separation anxiety is really hard to deal with. We’ve read everything we can find and nothing we do seems to make it better. My guess is that part of the problem is the blindness but another part of the problem is that she is so attached to Vince. He can walk out of the room and she panics so you know what happens when he leaves her for several hours. It’s getting old for me because someone almost has to be sitting with her every minute of every day – otherwise she’s sick and we end up with a $200+ vet bill, which obviously isn’t curing any of her or our problems.
I don’t know what the answer is but I didn’t move to MO to sit home 24/7 so the dog is happy. If anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear them.
Cilla says
I bought some “Doggie Downers” at the pet store in town for one of my Dachshunds. Doesn’t make him dopey or very tired…just seems to give him a calming effect. He normally a very calm little fella, totally attached to me…. I pray you find an answer for Rita.
shirley swift-bruner says
Get her a puppy…..or a stuffed animal. did you try the alarm clock wrapped in a towel?
Kathleen says
Vince’s unwashed tshirt/jeans wrapped around something warm, rice bag or heat pack.
Mary M says
Lavender is also calming. I have a roller bottle of lavender essential oil with a carrier base I used on our new puppy a couple of times when we needed a break from the puppy crazies.
Cathi Morrell says
Dog Appeasing Pheromones. You can google it. They have sprays and collars. We use for our older doggy when she goes to the vet for her joint pain shots. Makes her mellow and totally chill. LOL!!
Donna says
Judy I have bought Feliway which is a cat calming spray for cats. It works great. I just googled and there are several types for dogs. I don’t know if they work but you could talk to your vet. Good luck!
Cynthia says
If you go to Amazon, search for “front pack for small dogs”. It’s like a baby carrier and they sling and backpack like styles. You can carry Rita around like a small baby.
Judy Laquidara says
I don’t want to help make her more dependent, I want something to help her relax when we’re not with her every minute of every day.
Peggy says
I use Composure for my old dog’s daily anxiety and Quiet Moments with Melatonin for my rescue’s storm and separation anxiety. Both are available without a prescription. Either would be worth a try.
Judy Laquidara says
Thank you. I will try those.
JoAnna says
Probably not what you want to hear but I give my elderly rescue pug Trazadone 25 mg 2-3 times/day. In addition to separation anxiety she also has doggie dementia and absolutely shrieks at times. It’s on the $4 list at Walmart and requires a prescription.
Nelle Coursey says
I think you should put something Vince has worn on her bed. I bet she will think it is him. Or wrap it in a warm water bottle.