animal rescuers - resources - support

[christie]

Has anyone used the anti anxiety medication, Reconcile?

We have a mini schnauzer who was a Katrina rescue. He has always been a tad on the "crazy" side, but since our move in April, his anxiety has just escalated.

We consulted with a new vet here yesterday, and he has ordered this medication for Scooter. It should be in next week.

We have tried the OTC calming meds for him without any results.

I would be interested in others' experiences with this.

[Diavolo]

A friend of mine took on a deaf rescue boxer. What's critical to remember with these dogs is that the same protocols for training exist. She was having problems with this dog and hired a specialized trainer. The trainer told her that this dog needed to work for everything. I laughed because my dogs have to work for everything. I don't put food down, I ask them to sit and stay and wait for the command once the foods down. A blind dog can hear the commands, in my friend's case the dog could see the commands. She chose to ignore them because she got what she wanted whether she did it or not. Now she's great because she was treated just like the other dogs and had to work for everything. Just a little "food" for thought!

I've taken on two senior rescues. One was a greyhound the other was a Doberman. Neither lived long once I got them, the greyhound lived a little less than a year and the Doberman a little less than two years, but both dogs had an opportunity to spend their sunset years in a comfortable environment where they were well loved, had a warm fireplace to sleep next too and were properly spoiled. They break your heart in the end, but the good you do for them is worth the heartbreak.

[wolfwalker]

I have had dogs all my life. have 2 monsters now. But my all time best dog was Jack. He was a spanial, golden retriever mix that I simply loved and he, me.

He went blind when he was 7. I was very lucky in those first few months with him. He knew the house, the yard etc. I never stopped walking him off lead. he would just stay with me like he always had.

We had a problem when we moved. for the first few months, til he learned his way around. He would follow my cairn terrier around till he learned things for himself. Any new change, I would walk with him till he got the change. But mostly he just learned the change as it was being done.

being blind never restricted him in any way. It took some time for him to adjust but then he was just like any other dog. run to the door barking etc.
He lived to be 14.

open some food and see how fast they find the kitchen. LOL

I would take on another blind dog. they adjust and life goes on for them.

wolfwalker

[NotAnAverageGuy]

I asked this question on another site about sugar gliders, should they be legal in all 50 states without having to have papers just to own them, but for breeding they have to be USDA registered and licensed. Some states they are illegal, some you have to have USDA papers to even own them and some states are very shady, my question is should action be taken to make them legal in all 50 states?

[Blaze]

Originally Posted by Sachita

6 dogs, 4 cats, 1 pig, all rescues. I attribute the health of my animals to the food I give them along with herbs, fruits, veggies and natural healing. I pay a lot in animal feed/food but for long term health its worth it. My dream is to make more money and take care of more. Its our privilege to care for them and what we should do.

I hope that all works out for you, that takes heart and dedication!

Originally Posted by NotAnAverageGuy

I asked this question on another site about sugar gliders, should they be legal in all 50 states without having to have papers just to own them, but for breeding they have to be USDA registered and licensed. Some states they are illegal, some you have to have USDA papers to even own them and some states are very shady, my question is should action be taken to make them legal in all 50 states?

Only because I am born and raised in Hawaii, I can say this; the laws are very strict, they don't want domestic animals being tossed out and becoming feral and a strain on what little natural habitats left of the almost extinct animals, plants and incect species that we do have. So Hawaii would more than likely not accept, as they don't have hamsters, hedgehogs, snakes, many types of lizards, And the quarantines are even stricter. The Amnesty law will give you a few days to turn in any illegal animals but if you do get caught, Well, jail and fines are outrageous. But if you truly believe in legalization, by all means, do what ever it takes!

[NotAnAverageGuy]

Kudos to all rescuers and fosters.

On a side note:

when the money becomes available to me and more resources as well, I am thinking of seeing if I can adopt a special needs glider. The glider I really would love to adopt, is living in a sanctuary setting for the rest of his life, he is blind but oh so loving.

[violaine]

[QUOTE=wolfwalker;13238]open some food and see how fast they find the kitchen. LOL

this comment made me smile, wolfwalker.

I would take on another blind dog. they adjust and life goes on for them.

wolfwalker

i think so too. if an animal is without one of his/her senses, or even very unwell- humans might believe that an animal rationalises/dwells on their health issue. wolfwalker, i am of a similar mindset- about life going on for them. over and over, that belief has enabled me to spend time around animal-friends who perhaps did not have much time left on this plane, before going on to the next step.

[Kimbo]

Originally Posted by christie0918

Has anyone used the anti anxiety medication, Reconcile?

We have a mini schnauzer who was a Katrina rescue. He has always been a tad on the "crazy" side, but since our move in April, his anxiety has just escalated.

We consulted with a new vet here yesterday, and he has ordered this medication for Scooter. It should be in next week.

We have tried the OTC calming meds for him without any results.

I would be interested in others' experiences with this.

I have not had any experience with this...are you doing anything to work with his anxiety? Definitely kennel them when you are not around. I worked with a trainer and she helped me find ways to keep my dog a bit busier but nothing ever really took away all her anxiety.

[violaine]

christine, may these links be of some help to you all.

i like very low-key arrivals/departures to and from the home. going about your business for a little while does seem to help with separation anxiety related issues. plus, you have time to put down the packages, and go to the bathroom!

http://dogtime.com/canine-anxiety-epidemic.html

i've always been fond of this site:

http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/barking.pdf

http://www.ddfl.org/tips.htm

[NotAnAverageGuy]

My dog has some issues as well with anxiety, I keep her busy with toys, etc and it does help.

And I started taking her places with me, to get her more social and when she is around other dogs her anxiety ceases a lil.

I have noticed most of the small breeds have serious anxiety issues

[Kimbo]

Originally Posted by NotAnAverageGuy

My dog has some issues as well with anxiety, I keep her busy with toys, etc and it does help.

And I started taking her places with me, to get her more social and when she is around other dogs her anxiety ceases a lil.

I have noticed most of the small breeds have serious anxiety issues

Seperation anxiety is common in abandoned dogs. You can watch a dog in a pound slowly lose it's spirit..they call it shelter shock. The longer they stay the worse it can be. I found my dog on petfinder and watched her the month before I closed on my house, by the time I got to the pound to get her she had lost her spirit and was set to be euthanized.

I love dogs and knew my house would not be a home without one. As soon as everything was moved in and put away I went to meet her...she broke my heart, when I went to take her back to her kennel she took her lead and sat down on it and wouldn't budge.

When I put her in the front seat of my truck for the ride home she glowed...she acted so proud and knew she was home. I was suprised I adopted her, she was a pit, lab mix and I know I'm not the best alpha dog. I have some fears of pits after one attacked my house. My Sadie dog taught me alot...

[violaine]

kimbo, yes. Daz, the dobe could not make eye contact for quite some time after being in the shelter.

yellow

now, this shelter is a horrible animal control facility. the dogs are routinely sprayed with water and chemicals instead of being moved out of their runs. there is no excuse for this. i will not go into further details, because i am waiting for the day to post some good news in the name of change at this particular animal control shelter.

i have made entries in this thread about my work on a committee of the humane society. the humane society does not wish to "run" the animal control shelter. the humane society, my committee, and many other people within the community [who have written compelling letters about the "culture of the animal control shelter" in this county] only want the animals to be respected, and yes, hopefully all of them go to forever homes.

the issue is when the county commissioners are the legislative and policy making body of county government the animal control must answer to- and the commissioners do nothing about complaints. hence, al of our involvement - when it really should be the job of the county commissioners to listen to the taxpayers who pay for animal control services- including the "humane" treatment of animals at the shelter.

i'm going to add another post so this does not get timed out.

[NotAnAverageGuy]

Originally Posted by violaine

kimbo, yes. Daz, the dobe could not make eye contact for quite some time after being in the shelter.

yellow

now, this shelter is a horrible animal control facility. the dogs are routinely sprayed with water and chemicals instead of being moved out of their runs. there is no excuse for this. i will not go into further details, because i am waiting for the day to post some good news in the name of change at this particular animal control shelter.

i have made entries in this thread about my work on a committee of the humane society. the humane society does not wish to "run" the animal control shelter. the humane society, my committee, and many other people within the community [who have written compelling letters about the "culture of the animal control shelter" in this county] only want the animals to be respected, and yes, hopefully all of them go to forever homes.

the issue is when the county commissioners are the legislative and policy making body of county government the animal control must answer to- and the commissioners do nothing about complaints. hence, al of our involvement - when it really should be the job of the county commissioners to listen to the taxpayers who pay for animal control services- including the "humane" treatment of animals at the shelter.

i'm going to add another post so this does not get timed out.

Belle,

Here in Houston, BARC has had the "not wanting to run their shelter issue" and most of the animals there were sick and some died.

[violaine]

anyway, the information here about animal control in my county, and how the commissioners have done nothing for many years about their chief animal control officer, and the various complaints about her/the way the shelter operates [without a Standard Operating Procedure manual]- is a crime- to be sure. we have met other people, animal lovers, taxpayers, animal shelters, humane societies, and so on- who have dealt with this type of shelter scenario before, in some other town. some other chief animal control officer. some county commissioners - who do not act in the best interest of their community nor the animals, of course.

[NotAnAverageGuy]

Originally Posted by Kimbo

Seperation anxiety is common in abandoned dogs. You can watch a dog in a pound slowly lose it's spirit..they call it shelter shock. The longer they stay the worse it can be. I found my dog on petfinder and watched her the month before I closed on my house, by the time I got to the pound to get her she had lost her spirit and was set to be euthanized.

I love dogs and knew my house would not be a home without one. As soon as everything was moved in and put away I went to meet her...she broke my heart, when I went to take her back to her kennel she took her lead and sat down on it and wouldn't budge.

When I put her in the front seat of my truck for the ride home she glowed...she acted so proud and knew she was home. I was suprised I adopted her, she was a pit, lab mix and I know I'm not the best alpha dog. I have some fears of pits after one attacked my house. My Sadie dog taught me alot...

I had heard that as well, my dog was a Xmas present 4 years ago from a breeder. I spoiled her and I think thats my downfall right now.

[Rook]

Hmm...
For the Deaf ferrets, I use a specific Sign Language for each and every action....Something they'll easily learn, nothing complicated or fancy...
I've also fostered Deaf Dalmatians... Same deal with the Sign language { for Sit, I would lower the hand firmly in the air, heel was patting the hand on the ground in front of you *Vibration*, "Treat" was Groping the air near my mouth*after they see u several times doing that while holding treats, they get the point* Discipline was easy, use harness, corrective tugs, "No" was Index finger firmly pointed near the face, not too close with corrective tugs at first, never switch signs, never use same signs for anything else}...
Worse thing to do for either Dog or Ferret ( and yes, Deaf Humans *L*)..Approaching from behind, catching off-guard to grab attention...
in the animals case, you could get bitten or you could upset them{in the humans, an elbow, or slap or punch if they're high strung...}

We have a growing population of Feral cats in Athens county, because immature Students make cute kitty cuddly adoptions, when the Quarters over and they have to return to mom + pop....the City gets the kitteh...
Many locals implore them not to do that..
But, ever since the Cat shelter was closed due to lack of funds and volunteers [ this happened when I first moved in ], the numbers grow..
Some residents even offer advise on those wanting to help control the Feral population, by setting Humaine traps, and Neutering / Spaying...
Taco Bell on the main downtown road has a pack of feral cats called "the taco bell kitties"
The running joke is a little...dumb...and racist...{ there's a chinese buffet across the street...}

http://www.cypresskeep.com/Ferretfiles/Deaf.htm

http://www.deafdal.co.uk/Links.htm

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by christie0918

Has anyone used the anti anxiety medication, Reconcile?

We have a mini schnauzer who was a Katrina rescue. He has always been a tad on the "crazy" side, but since our move in April, his anxiety has just escalated.

We consulted with a new vet here yesterday, and he has ordered this medication for Scooter. It should be in next week.

We have tried the OTC calming meds for him without any results.

I would be interested in others' experiences with this.

.

No, but found ths when I researched the CVM site..and it mentions in conjunction with training as Kimbo mentioned.
Margaret Gillis, regulatory associate at Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN, has received a WARNING LETTER because of various promotional items associated with the firm’s product, Reconcile™ (fluoxetine hydrochloride). Reconcile™ is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) indicated for the treatment of canine separation anxiety in conjunction with a behavior modification plan. The four items in question involved an article entitled, “Separation Anxiety: A Brief Overview,” the “reconcile.com” Web site, a consumer brochure, and a print advertisement in the May issue of Veterinary Forum Magazine. The pieces and the Web site suggested that the product was more effective than had been demonstrated. Therefore, the drug was found to be misbranded under sections 502(n) and 201(n) of the FFDCA.

Originally Posted by violaine

christine, may these links be of some help to you all.

i like very low-key arrivals/departures to and from the home. going about your business for a little while does seem to help with separation anxiety related issues. plus, you have time to put down the packages, and go to the bathroom!

http://dogtime.com/canine-anxiety-epidemic.html

i've always been fond of this site:

http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/barking.pdf

http://www.ddfl.org/tips.htm

Great links violaine...here's another one *
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/default.htm That is where I found the info on Reconcile above.