If you’ve experienced an anxiety attack and you’re aware of the consequences can be debilitating and terrifying at the time and could be traumatic in the long run. A severe anxiety attack could manifest as a heart attack in humans. Erin Askeland, CPDT-KA, The CBCC-KA, and Erin Askeland, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, and Bow Wow’s animal health and behavior specialist say they can. “Dogs are prone to anxiety attacks in the same way humans experience them,” she explains.
“This implies that they might feel a sudden fear and anxiety which could trigger physical reactions.” Furthermore, Dr. Linda Simon, a veterinarian surgeon and a vet advisor with FiveBarks, agrees with the statement, “As vets, we’re studying the causes of anxiety in dogs in recent years. “Many are our dogs suffer from anxiety, but the extent to which this impacts their lives in the day can vary greatly.”
What Are the Reasons That Cause Dogs to Panic?
The panic attacks of pets are often sudden and without a clear motive or cause; however, the leading causes are likely to be stress, as per Askeland. This is not the same as anxiety, as anxiety triggers increase their severity. “For instance, an example dog who doesn’t enjoy cars might be nervous as the garage door opens and keys to the car are picked up, as those signals indicate that a car ride is coming up,” she says. The majority of dogs manage their anxiety quite well. They usually have brief bursts of anxiety when they are experiencing stressful events like a trip to the veterinarian or having a meeting with an angry dog.
“This kind of stress is common and connected to the ‘fight and flight response, and dogs quickly calm down after the stressor has been eliminated,” Dr. Simon says. However, certain dogs suffer from chronic anxiety and are prone to stress from things that would not bother other dogs. “Day-to-day things such as traffic noise or the owner’s decision to leave their home to go to work could cause stress for some dogs to bear,” she says.
“It is those with anxiety that are more susceptible to having extreme anxiety or ‘anxiety attacks. ‘” What triggers are there, and what warning signs to watch out for?
suspect that your dog is suffering from panic attacks, You may observe:
- Increased heart rate
- Trembling
- Panting
- Pacing
- Salivating
- Jumping
- Urinating
- Hiding
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Digging
The ears are back, and the head is lowered. and tail pulled back between the legs Various factors can cause these signs, but thunderstorms and fireworks are two of the most frequent triggers.
How Do You Help the dog who is suffering from a panic attack?
In the beginning, you must remain at peace. Your mood can influence the way your dog is feeling too. “Help to calm your dog by staying at peace and present,” Dr. Simon states. She also suggests using items for stress relief like anxiety vests, tranquilizers, and pheromone-based plug-ins like Adaptil. Askeland also suggests learning simple cues that your dog is familiar with, such as playing with a toy they love or even shifting them to a different place, like an apartment or the backyard or taking an outing.
Dogs who aren’t able to relax may require an area to rest by listening to calming music (such as jazz or classical) or have significant distractions taken away (such as loud sounds and bright light, lots of animals, people, or many activities).
The panicked reaction may be due to fear of a specific trigger, fear of anxiety, or stress. Suppose you can eliminate a panic attack and your dog exhibits various worrying behaviors. In that case, it could indicate physical discomfort or illness, like epileptic seizures or epileptic disorders. Therefore, you should consult with your vet if you cannot link the behavior to an obvious stressor, such as an event or new guests entering the house.
In addition, if you notice that your dog behaves oddly, but you aren’t sure if it is an anxiety issue, they could have consumed a toxin. Doctor. Simor explains that substances such as nicotine, which is present in cigarettes, as well as caffeine and theobromine, present in chocolates, are stimulants and could trigger symptoms similar to panic attacks. In the end, Dr. Simon suggests that you attempt to create a plan to set your dog up to be successful. “For instance, when fireworks go off, you should build your dog a secure ‘den’ within the house,” she says.
“This is a space away from windows, and your dog can rest in blankets. Close the curtains and turn on the radio or TV at a high volume to drown out any noise. Certain dogs may require prescription tranquilizer medication from a vet.” It’s helpful to stay clear of situations that could trigger them and reduce their sensitivity if possible. Be calm and take the necessary steps to help your pet feel safe.
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