As a professional pet sitter, we come across all sorts of challenges in our service areas from Kenosha to Brookfield. Today is one of those special occasions where one of our dogs is feeling deep anxiety over the wind and he’s completely stressed out.
Bring on the blustery days of fall? Not so sure for this puppy!
Signs of wind phobia:
- Excessive panting
- Inability to calm and/or settle in.
- Drooling and not leaving the dog walkers side.
- Pacing and inability to sleep, even at night time.
The signs of wind phobia are closely related to thunderstorms and any other weather related challenges. As wind is unpredictable, one can’t give a dog or cat calming aids before the issue, such as Rescue Remedy, Benedryl, Lavender oil, or Pet Acoustics Cubes because it JUST HAPPENS. Its not in the forecast, and with wind can come lots of odd noises-bells ringing, things clanking and clambering and trash cans being strewn about.
Treatment for phobia of the wind can vary, depending on other components of the phobia (thunder, etc.).
- Desensitization and counter-conditioning (DS/CC) to the sounds of wind and thunder and medications to aid the process of DS/CC in this scared dog.
- Other options include relaxation protocols to train a calm response on command, nutraceuticals like l-theanine or a dog appeasing pheromone collar, or a tight wrap made for anxious dogs.
- A medication selected for this case is fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, to be given every day. For days when wind was expected to be a problem, the dog can also given a benzodiazepine, which is a very potent and fast-acting (but short duration) inhibitor of anxiety; the most common of these in human medicine are Valium and Xanax.
Best of luck with the blustery days ahead and lets hope your dog is not affected. Exercise and walking helps keep minds off the challenges, so be sure to hire a professional dog walker to help combat the issue.
