Melatonin
A Natural Metabolite of Tryptophan
Description
Indications
Melatonin capsules, as provided by Douglas
Laboratories, contain 3 mg of highest purity melatonin
produce under strict Good Manufacturing Practices
(GMP) standards.
Melatonin capsules may be a useful nutritional adjunct
for individuals who wish to support the body’s pineal
gland function.
Functions
Melatonin is a natural hormone nutrient that is
synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan by the
pineal gland in the back of the brain. Melatonin also
occurs in small amounts in a variety of foods. In the
body, melatonin appears to regulate sleep/wake
cycles, support normal immune function, and protect
cells from free radical damage.
Most of the research on melatonin has focused on its
roles in maintaining normal sleep/wake rhythms. The
perception of daylight in the eyes is a signal for the
pineal gland to inhibit melatonin synthesis and release.
At night or in the dark, the body’s melatonin
production rises. The rise in plasma melatonin is
thought to be responsible for bringing on sleep.
Nocturnal melatonin production is highest in children
and begins to decline from adolescence on until it is
virtually absent in the elderly.
Melatonin supports normal immune function by
helping maintain the activity of circulating natural killer
cells. It also has been found to function as an
antagonist for stress-induced immunosuppression.
Melatonin is considered a potent antioxidant that
enters all body cells to help prevent free radical
damage. In the brain, melatonin is perhaps the most
important physiological antioxidant. Due to its lipid
and water-soluble properties, it can freely cross the
blood-brain barrier.
In vitro studies show that melatonin is more effective
than glutathione in scavenging toxic hydroxyl radicals,
and also more efficient than vitamin E in neutralizing
peroxyl radicals which can induce DNA damage.
Formula
Each capsule contains:
Melatonin…………………………………………………….3 mg
Suggested Use
As a dietary supplement, take one capsule before
bedtime as needed or as directed by a physician.
Side Effects
Warning: Not to be taken by individuals under the age
of 18. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any
prescription medication (especially hormone
replacement therapy), or have an autoimmune or
depressive disorder consult a physician before using
this product. Long-term use of melatonin has not been
studied. Use of this product could cause hypothermia.
Do not use before or while operating a motor vehicle
or heavy machinery.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. Keep
out of reach of children.
Melatonin
Melatonin has been found to be helpful when used with dogs who have “thunder-phobia,” other noiserelated reactions and other stressful situations. Melatonin has been used effectively to reduce seizures
in dogs that seize between 11 PM and 6 AM. Quite a few members of our Canine Epilepsy community
have also discovered that it seems to lessen the freque3ncy and/or severity of seizures at other times at
the day.
Melatonin is a naturally occurring substance produce y the pineal gland located in the brains of
mammals. It is, by definition, a hormone and has been found to be involved in circadian rhythms - those
inner cycles that tell all mammals when to sleep and when to wake. In recent years melatonin has been
marketed for people as a “natural” aid to sleeping.
In the May 2000 issue of The Whole Dog Journal is an article on melatonin and the positive results with
noise and thunder-phobic dogs. The article begins on page 3 and is titled “Bring in Da Noise.” The article
has comments by Dr. Dodman and Dr. Linda Aronson. It does not discuss melatonin and canine epilepsy,
but does discuss some of the concerns people might have with use of melatonin and their feelings on it.
Another article with references to the use of melatonin in dogs can be found in the Journal of the
American Veterinary Medical Association, Volume 215, No. 1 July 1999. “Vet Med Today: Animal
Behavior Case of the Month” was written by Linda Aronson, DVM, MA; from the Department of Clinical
Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA.
The following is an excerpt from an email sent by Dr. Aronson to one of our Guardian Angels, Rich Brady:
“To treat thunderstorm phobia, I use a dose of 3 mg for a 35 – 100 lb dog. Smaller dogs get 1.5 mg, and
larger dogs may get 6 mg. The dose is give either at first evidence of thunderstorm – dog becomes
agitated, distant rumbling of thunder, etc. or prophylactically before the owner leaves the house when
thunderstorms are predicted. Dos may be repeated up to 3 times daily. The latter may be used as a dose
for animals with more generalized stress related disorders.”
Rich has written the following about his use of melatonin with his “pack” of Golden Retrievers: “ I have
posted a great deal in the past about my successes with melatonin as an adjunct therapy with Jake who
had severe cluster seizures every 3 to 4 weeks which we were not able to gain control of until melatonin
was added. We have been using melatonin since early 1997. We started with Jake and had good success
and give 3 mg nightly to our dogs, both the epis and non-epis. We have 6 dogs, currently ranging in
weight from 35 lbs to about 90 lbs, and 5 of the 6 get 3 mg melatonin nightly. Dusty, who we adopted in
July 1999, as a special needs Golden Retriever with epilepsy, did get melatonin for a number of months,
but it did not seem to be helping him, so I stopped with him. He is a tough case to get control of, but we
are slowly making headway. Zay on the other hand who we adopted January 1999, as a special Needs
Golden with epilepsy is doing great and has not had a seizure since we brought him home over 2 ½
years ago. Zay was given his first melatonin on the way home in the car 1/99 and has been given 3 mg
nightly since. We give the melatonin anytime late evening. It seems to take about 30 minutes to start to
take effect and help them to get to sleep.”
Rich recently (May 2002) contacted Dr. Aronson to ask if she had done any further studies with
melatonin and/or published any other papers. As Rich say, “It does not benefit all dogs, but it has
provided positive results for many, an as always, certainly everyone needs to make their own decision s
with what they are comfortable with and what works.”
Dr Aronson’s response to Rich follows:
“No, I continue to gather data and continue to find new uses for melatonin, but without research
financing, publishing is low on my list of priorities. More and more owners and vets are using melatonin
and it is gratifying to know that so many dogs have been helped. No one has done any research to show
whether melatonin is safe in pregnant humans, hence the statement on the label, and I have therefore
cautioned against its use in pregnant bitches, except in one case where the bitch was absolutely terrified
by fireworks being released by the pub next door. Sadly she only had one (very healthy) puppy and he
had to be delivered by C-section. However, the owner contacted me after having already gone through a
wretched night with a terrified bitch, she feels the fear caused problems with the pregnancy not the
melatonin she gave the bitch the next night.
With regard to the other cautions on the melatonin bottle, I have used it, carefully, in dogs with
autoimmune disease and also those on MAOIs; none had a problem. To date out of 1000s of dogs taking
melatonin (some taking it daily for months and even years) this is the sum of reported side effects: 3
dogs were reported to be hyper. However, two of these belonged to the same owner, who said
melatonin had the same effect on her. One dog seemed to become disoriented. He drank copiously and
peed in the house (something he’d not done in nine years). The description sounded as if the dog might
be mildly Cushingoid, and I recommended this be explored. The owner really just wanted to go ahead
and use melatonin but maybe at half the dose, as he was very thunderstorm phobic and on melatonin
totally un-reactive. All signs of disorientation, and increased drinking and peeing had resolved within 4
hours. One owner reported that her dominant aggressive, dog-aggressive cocker spaniel lay down
between obedience exercises, she though this indicated sleepiness, I think it just meant he was a lot less
reactive around the other dogs.
I have had search and rescue dogs successfully given melatonin to combat their fears of flying in turbo
prop planes. It was the only treatment that allowed most of them to relax and yet let them perform
their duties at the end of the flight.
Success is still running about 80%. Most useful for noise phobias, including thunderstorms, fireworks,
gun shots, planes, helicopters, hot air balloons, show site noises, bird song, truck and other road noises.
It also seems to help some cases of lick granuloma and separation anxiety.
“Fearfully to the Noise.” – Linda Aronson, DVM
GUARDIAN ANGELS NANCY AND TAHOE (AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD): have also found that melatonin seems to
have some positive effects on Tahoe’s seizure activity. Nancy writes: “The brand I buy is by “Natrol”; it
comes in 1 mg and 3 mg strengths. You want to use the natural made, vegetarian and not time-released.
Generally a dose of 3 mg for a 35 – 100 lb dog. Smaller dogs get 1.5 mg and larger dogs may get 6 mg.
You can give it to your dog about 20 mins before bedtime. Tahoe would also seizure soon after falling
asleep. I have seen a big improvement with him and nighttime seizures. I know others who use it for
thunderstorm phobia and stressed out pooches.”
JOY AND LACEY (56 LB BORDER COLLIE/SHEPHERD CROSS): It was suggested by this website to use melatonin
at night if your dog seizes during the middle of the night. That fit Lacey to a T. That was one of the really
awful things we had to deal with from the beginning of our journey learning all about canine epilepsy.
Lacey always seized in the middle of the night.
Melatonin has been a lifesaver for us. We are older adults and waking up in the middle of the night was
brutal. We went through a very rough period where we were afraid to go to sleep. It may seem silly but
we were so worried we wouldn’t hear Lacey and wanted to make sure she didn’t hurt herself. After
using the melatonin we started to see this patter change immediately. I gave her 3 mg of melatonin an
hour before we go to bed and Lacey started sleeping straight though the night. I will even give her 6 mgs
at night if I feel she is twitchy or more than usual restlessness.
Yesterday was a typical example. We had a really bad weather system pass through Edmonton and the
lightning and thunder was severe. A couple of tornados were sited west of our house and generally
Lacey doesn’t really react to the storms but the lightening was lighting up the inside of the house and
she got scared and started twitching. We gave her some rescue remedy with ice cream and she still was
restless and pacing so it was around dinner time so I told my husband to give her a melatonin. That did
the trick. We are very much sold on this product.
BETH AND BAILEY (SIBERIAN HUSKY 85 LBS.): Bailey hasn’t had any seizures at night since I started giving
him 3 mg of melatonin an hour before bedtime. Over the weekend I noticed Bailey had been very
anxious. I was worried about going to work on Monday, so I set up the video camera. I was gone for
about 5 hours and all he did was pace and howl. I gave him a Melatonin when I got home which seemed
to help. On Tuesday I set up the camera again, but this time I gave him the 3 mg of Melatonin before I
left for work. He slept like a baby all morning. Thank goodness for Melatonin.
Melatonin
By
Guardian Angel Nancy & Angel Tahoe
Is your dog seizing between 11 pm and 6 am? If so, please try melatonin. Melatonin virtually stopped
the “after bedtime, early am” seizures in Tahoe and many other dogs.
We had been giving Tahoe melatonin at bedtime for over two year. One of the reasons we started it was
to help Tahoe sleep through the night. He was a very restless sleeper who got up several times during
the night to pace, ask to go out, sniff around and want to come back in. Once we started with the
melatonin it worked to create a normal sleep pattern and he did sleep through the night. As a bonus I
definitely noticed a decrease in his nighttime seizures. He did not have a seizure after midnight in more
than a year after beginning melatonin!
In the May 2000 issue (Volume 3, Number 5) of The Whole Dog Journal is an article on melatonin and
the positive results with noise and thunder-phobic dogs. The article begins on page 3 and is titled “Bring
in Da Noise.” The article has comments by Dr. Dodman and Dr. Linda Aronson. Although it does not
discuss melatonin and canine epilepsy, it does discuss some of the concerns that people might have with
use of melatonin and their feelings on it.
A second artile with references to the use of melatonin in dogs can be found in the Journal of the
American Veterinary Medical Association, Volume 215, No. 1 July 1999. “Vet Med Today: Animal
Behavior Case of the Month” was written by Linda Aronson, DVM, MA; from the Department of Clinical
Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA.
The following are excerpts from an email send by Dr. Aronson to Rich Brady, who has several epileptic
dogs: “To treat thunderstorm phobia, I use a dose of 3 mg for a 35 – 100 lb dog. Smaller dogs get 1.5 mg,
and larger dogs may get 6 mg. The dose is give either at first evidence of thunderstorm – dog becomes
agitated, distant rumbling of thunder, etc. or prophylactically before the owner leaves the house when
thunderstorms are predicted. Dos may be repeated up to 3 times daily. The latter may be used as a dos
for animals with more generalized stress related disorders.
“I have used it, carefully, in dogs with autoimmune disease and also those on MAOIs; none had a
problem. I have had search and rescue dogs successfully given melatonin to combat their fears of flying
in turbo prop planes. It was the only treatment that allowed most of them to relax and yet let them
perform their duties at the end of the flight.
“Success is still running about 80%. Most useful for noise phobias, including thunderstorms, fireworks,
gun shots, planes, helicopters, hot air balloons, show site noises, bird song, truck and other road noises.
It also seems to help some cases of lick granuloma and separation anxiety.” (Dr. Linda Aronson)
Where Can I Buy Melatonin?
You can purchase Melatonin anywhere vitamins and supplements are sold. The brand I buy is by
“Natrol” and it comes in 1 mg and 3 mg tablets. You will want to get the natural made, vegetarian and
not time-released (Natrol is vegetarian). Generally a dose of 3 mg is appropriate for a 35-100 lb dog.
Smaller dogs get 1.5 mg and larger dogs by get 6 mg.
What Is Melatonin?
TECHNICAL EXPLANATION :
“Melatonin is produced in the body by the pineal gland in the brain. Tryptophan, an amino acid found in
food, is taken in by the body and made into serotonin, a neurotransmitter (conductor of nerve signals).
The pineal gland takes the serotonin and makes it into melatonin, but only during the night. (The
enzymes in the brain which change serotonin into melatonin are inactivated by light). Norepinephrine is
another neurotransmitter which assists in melatonin production. It acts as a catalyst to melatonin
production by stimulating cells in the pineal gland to begin making melatonin in the absence of light.
Sometimes, for one reason or another, the body does not produce adequate amounts of melatonin for
its needs. This can result in insomnia and depression, among other symptoms. The body’s ability to
synthesize melatonin may decrease with age.” (http://www.all-natural.com/nutri.html)
Many “epi-parents” have had amazing results with Melatonin in helping their epis sleep at night,
reducing restlessness, and reducing seizures that happen between bedtime and 6 am. I would say from
experience that Melatonin works in about 90% of our pups. We have not seen any develop a tolerance
to Melatonin. I think if your dog is having seizures after bedtime it would be useful to try Melatonin. If
your dog has no change after a couple weeks then discontinue, but it is worth a try to combat seizures
after bedtime. Not to forget it is a true cure for restless sleepers – canine and human!
5-HTP
A Brain Serotonin Precursor
Description
5-HTP, provided by Douglas Laboratories, contains 50
mg of natural L-5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
extracted from seeds of the Griffonia plant in each
vegetarian capsule.
Functions
Serotonin, an important brain neurotransmitter, is key
in the regulation of appetite, mood, and melatonin
production. The presence of serotonin in the brain is
associated with a balanced emotional state. This is
achieved in part by decreasing the activity of certain
excitatory hormones, including dopamine and
noradrenaline. Serotonin also acts as a satiety signal in
the brain, thereby naturally regulating food intake.
Additionally, as a precursor of melatonin, serotonin is
involved in regulating sleep patterns.
Serotonin is unable to cross the blood-brain barrier
and is therefore synthesized in the brain.
Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is a precursor for
the synthesis of serotonin. Tryptophan crosses the
blood-brain barrier and is converted to L-5Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), which in turn in converted
into serotonin. Unfortunately, tryptophan faces many
obstacles during its journey into the brain tissue. First,
dietary intake directly affects body levels of
tryptophan, as the body cannot produce it
endogenously. High protein diets often provide greater
amounts of tryptophan, yet higher carbohydrate diets
appear to enhance tryptophan uptake into the brain.
Secondly, tryptophan must compete with other amino
acids for entry into the brain. Finally, tryptophan may
be taken up by other tissues for protein or niacin
synthesis, and thus is not exclusively for use by the
brain. As a metabolic intermediate in the conversion
tryptophan into serotonin, 5-HTP can also serve as a
precursor of serotonin. 5-HTP offers a number of
advantages over tryptophan. 5-HTP is derived naturally
from the seeds of the Griffonia plant, unlike
tryptophan which is produced synthetically or through
bacterial fermentation. 5-HTP crosses into the brain
more readily than tryptophan as it is able to cross the
blood-brain barrier without competition for uptake. 5HTP is significantly more effective than tryptophan;
one 50 mg capsule of 5-HTP is roughly equivalent to
500 mg of tryptophan. Finally, research studies have
shows 5-HTP to be safe at levels as high as 900 mg. As
a result, 5-HTP is a safe and effective means of
increasing brain serotonin levels.
Indications
5-HTP capsules may be a useful nutritional supplement
for individuals wishing to obtain the benefits of this
well-documented plant extract.
Formula
Each vegetarian capsule contains:
L-5-Hydroxytryptophan…………………………….50 mg
Suggested Use
One to two capsules per day, between meals or as
directed by a physician. Vitamin B6 is necessary for the
conversion of 5-HTP to serotonin; thus, to derive
optimal benefits of 5-HTP, one must ensure an
adequate intake of vitamin B6.
Side Effects
No adverse effects have been reported.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. Keep
out of reach of children.
Relora-Plex
Unique Botanical Blend for Healthy Mental Support
Description
Relora-Plex, provided by Douglas Laboratories, is a
unique blend containing two patent-pending herbal
extracts, specifically designed to support normal
mental functioning during stress and anxiety.
Functions
Cortisol, a hormone produced in the adrenal glands,
plays an important role in the body’s regulation of
cardiovascular function and fat, protein and
carbohydrate utilization. When the body experiences
stress, cortisol secretion increases, thus causing a
breakdown of muscle protein and the release of amino
acids to form glucose via gluconeogensis. The resulting
higher level of glucose in the body, combined with the
decreased use of glucose by other tissues in the body,
ensure that the brain is receiving adequate energy.
Continuing research indicates that stress and anxiety
can have a significant impact on the body’s health and
wellbeing. While cortisol secretion is an important part
of the body’s response to stress, the prolonged
secretion of cortisol can have detrimental effects to
the proper functioning of the body’s cardiovascular,
immune, neurological and metabolic systems.
Relora is a patent-pending combination of two herbal
extracts of Magnolia and Phellodendron bark (Asian
cork tree). Both herbs have been used in Traditional
Chinese Medicine for several hundred years. In a
human study, 82% of the participants taking Relora
agreed with the statement that: “Relora helps
control…irritability, emotional ups and downs,
restlessness, tense muscles, poor sleep, fatigue, and
concentration difficulties.” Relora was found not to
cause sedation, though 74% of the patients had more
restful sleep. Additionally, no adverse side effects were
reported during the trial. A second human trial studied
the effects of Relora on salivary
dehydroepistandrosterone (DHEA) and cortisol levels
in patients with mild to moderate stress. The effects of
stress on the body are sometimes associated with
lower levels of DHEA and higher levels of cortisol. Two
weeks of Relora increased salivary DHEA by 227% and
decreased total salivary cortisol by 37%. Both
hormones were brought into the normal range.
Indications
Relor-Plex may be a useful dietary supplement for
individuals wishing to support normal mental
functioning with a unique herbal blend.
Formula
2 Vegetarian Capsules Contain:
Relora……………………………………………….. 500mg
(a proprietary blend of patent-pending extracts from
Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense bark)
Vitamin B-1 …………………………………….… 10mg
Vitamin B-2 …………………………………….… 10mg
Niacinamide ……………………………………… 10mg
Vitamin B-6 ………………………………………. 10mg
Vitamin B-12 …………………………………..… 100mcg
Folic Acid ………………………………………….. 200mcg
Suggested Use
Adults take 2 capsules daily or as directed by physician.
Side Effects
Warning: If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if
you are taking any prescription medication, consult a
physician prior to use. Excessive consumption may
impair ability to drive or operate heavy machinery. Not
recommended for consumption with alcoholic
beverages.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. Keep
out of reach of children.
Thunderstorm Phobia
Noise phobia, often manifested as excessive fear during thunderstorms, is a relatively
common affliction of dogs. Sadly, it is a problem that leads some frustrated owners to
euthanize or give up their dogs. Each Summer YGRR receives many calls from families who
feel that they can no longer deal with their Golden’s fearful and sometimes destructive
response to thunderstorms. If your dog suffers from fear of loud noises, you may want to
share this article with your veterinarian. Hopefully the possibility of new treatment options
for noise phobia may save some dogs from euthanasia or abandonment. This article
includes information on:

What is a Phobia?

Natural Treatments

Homeopathic Remedies

Flower Essences

Music Therapy

Hug Therapy

Pharmacological Medications

Behavior Modification
What is a Phobia?
A fear is classified as a phobia when it is out of proportion to the danger of the real
situation. Phobias generally become worse, not better, with repeated exposures. Dogs with
mild noise phobia may look anxious during thunderstorms, tremble, hide under the bed or
in the bathtub, and be afraid to go out of doors for hours after the storm has passed. If your
dog suffers mildly, the best you can do is train him to go to a certain place in the house
where he feels comfortable; some dogs like to go into an open crate, some like the bathtub
or shower. If your dog heads to a certain spot and seems calmer, reward him. Severely
afflicted pets may soil in the house, destroy furniture, and attempt to break through walls or
crash through windows, often hurting themselves in frantic efforts to flee the source of their
fear. In addition to thunderstorms, dogs may develop noise phobic reactions to fireworks,
gunshots and, less commonly, loud engines or sirens.
Some dogs can be taught not to fear thunder and other loud noises. For information on the
accepted methods of doing this, see the Behavior Modification section below. For dogs who
are resistant to behavior modification, anxiety reducing treatments (natural or
pharmacological) may offer a solution.
Natural Treatments
An article in The Whole Dog Journal reports that one of the most effective treatments for
thunderstorm phobia is melatonin, an over-the-counter hormone used by humans to treat
insomnia.
Dr. Nicholas Dodman and his colleague Dr. Linda Aronson of the behavioral section at Tufts
New England Veterinary Medical Center had been looking for something that would help
reduce canine thunderstorm phobias when they discovered research papers on the effect of
melatonin. Research indicated a positive effect of melatonin on dogs that continually lick
their flanks as well as a calming effect on chickens in overcrowded conditions.
Drs. Dodman and Aronson wondered whether melatonin might work on noise phobic dogs.
The first dog to try it was Dr. Aronson's own Bearded Collie who had severe thunder phobia
after lightening struck very near her house. The effect of the melatonin was dramatic. The
dog simply stopped being afraid instead of tearing around the house and digging at the
carpets. The melatonin did not put her to sleep, she stayed awake and alert -- just not
bothered by the thunder.
Drs. Dodman and Aronson then gave the melatonin to other dogs and produced the same
result. Melatonin worked for other noise fears (one dog was afraid of songbirds) as well,
including fireworks!
Melatonin is sold in capsules and tablets in health food stores, pharmacies and some
supermarkets. It is sold in doses as low as 200 micrograms (mcg.). For most dogs, Aronson
prescribes 3 milligrams (mg.) In a few cases, dogs weighing over one hundred pounds
needed 6 mg. but that was unusual. Aronson usually gives dogs that weigh less than 30
pounds, 1.5 mg. Although they have not treated any phobic really tiny dogs, Aronson would
reduce the dosage further for them.
It's important to read the labels on melatonin bottles very carefully. Some are mixed with
herbs or nutrients that may not be safe for dogs. Make sure you buy the correct dosage for
your size dog. Remember, there are 1,000 micrograms (mcg.) in a milligram (mg.) so a 200
mcg. pill contains only 1/15 of the amount recommended for a large dog.
Because melatonin is not regulated by any federal agency, the quality varies greatly from
manufacturer to manufacturer. If an inferior product is administered, it may not be effective
in calming a dog whereas a higher quality product might be. We cannot recommend any
particular brand that is best, so the best course of action is purchase the product from a
supplier you trust and believe to carry better quality. Some holistic veterinarians sell
melatonin and their products might be better quality.
You can give your dog melatonin before you leave for the day if thunderstorms are
predicted because it remains effective for several hours. Otherwise, give it when thunder
seems imminent. Give melatonin immediately when you see your dog becoming agitated. If
your dog has automimmune disease or severe liver or kidney disease, check with your
veterinarian before giving melatonin.
The April 2000 issue of The Whole Dog Journal has a comprehensive five page article on
remedies that do not use drugs. The May 2000 issue has a complete article on melatonin
and other holistic phobia remedies. To purchase a copy, contact The Whole Dog Journal at
(800) 424-7887 or [email protected]. This is an excellent publication that does
not accept any advertising.
Some Golden owners have alleviated their dog's anxiety by dispensing Calm Pet by
NutraBest/Natural Pet Nutrition which contains valerian, chamomile, kava kava, St. John's
Wort and melatonin.
Homeopathic Remedies
A solution that is very safe and quite effective for some dogs is the homeopathic remedy
Phosphorous PHUS 30C which is available in health food stores. This is a natural compound,
which is used for fear of thunder or loud noises. Drop 3 to 5 pellets down the back of the
dog's throat (do not touch the pellets with your hand) every fifteen minutes until you start
to see results. Then stop. You can resume giving the pellets if the dog starts to get agitated
again. If Phosphorous does not seem to work, during the next storm try Aconitum Napellus
30C. Administer it in the same manner. Practitioners of homeopathy point out that a
remedy either will work or not, but it will not harm the dog or cause side effects.
Flower Essences
Individual flower essences are used to address a wide range of discrete emotional balances.
Remedies are matched to the specific mental and emotional needs of your animal. Flower
essences are some of the very few substances that foster emotional healing - unlike drugs which never cause side effects.
Rescue Remedy, Calming Essence or Five Flower Formula is a good remedy to start with to
see if it calms your dog during a storm. If it does not help, during the next storm you can
try one of the single flower essences. Working with essences is very individualized. It often
takes a few tries before you hit upon the best one or the best combination.
Start with a single remedy. One of these two usually will do the trick; Mimulus, which works
for "fear of known things" and Rock Rose, which works for terror and panic. Let your
intuition guide you. If you're home when a storm is approaching, administer a dose before
and during the storm. If you see that your animal is still agitated or depressed after the
storm, give the remedy again. If you try the Mimulus, for example, and notice a slight
improvement, for the next storm try Mimulus again along with Rescue Remedy or Calming
Essence. If you don't see results with these two remedies, try Aspen or Star of Bethlehem.
You can learn more about the healing power of flower of essences. One good book is Bach
Flower Remedies for Animals, available from Findhorn Press (850) 893-2920 or
amazon.com.
Instructions for Flower Essences: Weight between 1-20 lb. - One drop every five
pounds of body weight; 20 lbs. and over - 4 drops for the first twenty pounds plus one drop
for every additional ten pounds (example: 75 lb. Dog = 10 drops each dosage).
Three Ways to Administer Flower Essence

In the water bowl - Place 5 drops into freshly filled, small water bowl (1 to 2 cups
size); use 10 drops of the remedy in large water bowl (3 cups plus).

In the mouth - Place drops between the lip and gum.

Add to meals - Mix the remedy with water at a ratio of 1 tablespoon to each 2 drops
of essence and mix with food. This is the least preferred method.
For fear of storms, give before, during and if needed 24 hours after the storm. For other
conditions, administer the remedy twice or three times per day with or without food for two
weeks and observe if the condition is improving. If it improves, continue for two weeks and
then stop.
Music Therapy
If you're searching for a way to calm an overly anxious dog, harp music may be the answer.
Sue Raimond plucks harp strings for a living. She has successfully tested the effects of the
vibrations and blended tones on wolves, dogs, cats, monkeys, goats, sheep, donkeys and
gorillas. Her harp therapy has drawn the interest of leading veterinarians and animal
behaviorists who regard harp music as a complementary tool in modifying undesired
behavior in family pets.
How does it work? Raimond, who's studied its effects for 9 years, believes that vibrations of
the strings send out overtones -- some of which are inaudible to the human ear. She
believes, although it has not been scientifically proven, that the harmonic overtones work at
a cellular level and reduce stress levels.
Scientific studies indicate the benefits of music therapy for humans: slowing the heart rate,
lowering blood pressure, speeding post-surgery recovery, elevating endorphin levels,
bolstering immune function, decreasing stress related hormones.
Raimond believes that her live harp music is 95 percent effective in calming animals,
including deaf ones who appear to relax when they feel the vibrations. Playing the music on
CDs or audiotapes yields about an 87 percent rate. Dogs must hear at least three minutes
of music for it to take effect. Generally at this point, most dogs will start to sit down. Within
10 to 20 minutes, most lie in a resting state with some sleeping soundly.
Clients of Raimond's report that her music seems to have also helped canine cancer patients
to relax.
Raimond recommends playing music as needed -- not continuously -- because some
animals can become desensitized to it.
Hug Therapy
"Body wrapping" seems to calm and focus some anxious and stressed dogs. Neurobiologists
believe that any type of trauma can damage nerve receptors, leading to exaggerated
responses to stimuli. By applying constantly maintained pressure, the wrap provides an
unchanging, quieting stimulus that causes the receptors to adapt and modify their
thresholds in a cumulative manner.
Dog behaviorists have developed a variety of techniques for "wrapping" a dog ranging from
T-shirts to elastic bandage wraps. The easiest wrap for a dog owner to try is the Anxiety
Wrap -- a sturdy, stretchy vest that hugs the torso like a body stocking. The Wrap's
inventor emphasizes that the dog should be introduced to the wrap before anxiety causing
situations are present because you don't want the dog to associate the Wrap with
something that causes distress.
The Wrap comes in a variety of sizes and colors. For more information, visit
www.anxietywrap.com or call (877) 652-1266.
Pharmacological Medications
For dogs who are resistant to behavior modification, anxiety reducing drugs may offer a
solution. The two traditionally used tranquilizers for noise phobia are Acepromazine and
Valium. "Ace" is classified as a major tranquilizer and is a very strong drug that at effective
doses produces heavy sedation and uncoordination. Where thunderstorms are frequent,
these side effects may make the drug undesirable. Valium, on the other hand, may not be
strong enough to block severe phobic responses and is so short acting that it may not be
effective for afternoon thunderstorms when given in the morning by working owners.
Tranxene-SD is a long acting Valium type drug that may be useful for working owners. The
initial dose for large dogs is 22.5 mg. once a day. This dose may need to be adjusted
according to response. All drugs of this class can produce the opposite reaction, a
paradoxical excitability, and should first be given when the owner is at home. If used over a
period of time, the dose should be tapered gradually, rather than abruptly discontinued.
A drug that seems to offer promising results in dogs with mild symptoms is buspirone.
Initial research seems to indicate that buspirone may not block severe phobic reactions.
Other medications include the anti-anxiety medication alprozolam (Xanax) and a betablocker such as propranlol or inderol (which minimizes the dog's physiological, but not
emotional, response to fear). "Beta blockers" are commonly used in people and pets for
various heart conditions and high blood pressure. It is also taken by some musicians and
performers to relieve the symptoms of stage fright.
The latest preferred medication is clomipramine (Clomicalm) which has been approved by
the FDA for treating separation anxiety in dogs. This is closely related to amitriptyline, a
drug that has had beneficial results on thunder-phobic dogs. Both drugs work to correct the
balance of the level of chemicals called neurotransmitters in the brain. Unfortunately, some
drugs do have side effects and to get the fullest benefit, thunder-phobic dogs must take
anti-anxiety medications from the beginning of the stormy season and extending through
the season's duration.
Unfortunately, sedation sometimes is the only way to help a dog with noise phobias. Bear in
mind, however, that most drugs do not help a dog recover from his fear or prevent a
negative reaction the next time he hears the noise. You have a scared dog that is too
drugged to run. Sometimes this is the only option for the owners of dogs who cannot be
helped by any other treatments.
Consult your veterinarian for advice.
Behavior Modification
Two basic techniques of behavior modification are routinely employed in treating dogs with
noise phobia: desensitization and counter-conditioning. Desensitization is the process by
which an anxiety producing stimulus, in this case thunder, is presented so subtly as to not
produce a fearful response. Very gradually the intensity of the stimulus, or volume of the
thunder, is increased, always keeping it below the fear producing threshold. Counter
conditioning is the conditioning of an individual to respond to the feared stimulus with a
reaction incompatible with the undesirable response. For example, the dog is encouraged to
enjoy delicious food treats, as the thunder volume increases.
An excellent article written by Victoria Voith D.V.M, Ph.D. and Peter Borcheidt, Ph.D., two
leading veterinary behaviorists details the specifics for carrying out a behavior modification
program at home. It requires some effort on a family's part, but can offer a successful
"cure" if meticulously followed and if it is possible to reproduce an authentic enough
stimulus, in this case, a faked thunderstorm, to elicit a fear response in the dog. Herein lies
the cause for many treatment failures. It can often be difficult, even in specially designed
sound labs complete with high quality loudspeakers, darkened rooms and strobe lights to
recreate a sufficiently realistic thunderstorm. (Copies of this article, outlining a detailed, well
constructed behavior modification program, may be obtained by requesting Booklet #1110
"Fear of Thunder & Other Loud Noises "from Quaker Professional Services, 585 Hawthorne
Court, Galesburg, Illinois 61401)
An audio tape available in pet supply stores contains many sound effects. Instructions are
included.
YGRR does not accept responsibility for any suggestions made in this article. It is
up to each individual dog owner to check with his veterinarian to determine what
is best for his dog.
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