vonny Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 We are yet again having some problems with Rupert.He is Being lethargic at times,aggresive at times and generally a pain in the bum at times. He has had a full blood screen including a T4 and all is OK.We can get a referral to investigate further but the cost is prohibative as they will not claim direct and want paying by us and we are skint. He is a very stressy wound up type of dog and we are not sure if he has something really wrong with him or is just having a particulary stressed period. His diet is additive free and he is eating and drinking as normal. I am going to try him on Skullcap and Valerian tablets and was wondering if anybody finds them good or if not what else is worth trying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendbert Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 I don't know of any meds, but would something like a DAP Diffuser help? Hope someone with better ideas comes along Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtychicken Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 If it gets bad enough, would it be worth trying him on Zylkene? It's natural medication that was being recommended around firework time. Several Fugees used it so hopefully they could help, if need be Zylkene Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merledogs Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 We can get a referral to investigate further but the cost is prohibative as they will not claim direct and want paying by us and we are skint. Whereabouts are you? If you can find another specialist who is willing to claim direct then you can ask your vet to refer you to them instead. I had a recent referral for one of my dogs to Liverpool Uni Teaching Hospital and they claimed direct from my insurance company. Alternatively, could you take out a credit card specifically to pay for this and then once you've had the money back from the insurance company, pay it off and close the account? I hope you get to the bottom of it soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abby Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Not tried Skullcap and Valerian, but we have Clive on a Vit B Complex tablet every day, which are the 'stress vitamins' and I am convinced I can tell the difference between him when he is on them and him when I've missed giving them for a few days. Much more tense, more pushy with Dylan, more moody and less affectionate to us. Might be worth giving anyway. Have a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rileyroo Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 We've used Tranquility from Hilton Herbs in the past, and it seemed to help with Riley when she was wound up / anxious. CSJ also do a relaxing / stress mix of herbs too although I haven't tried it. S&V didn't help with our old dog but his issues were physical and mental so it was probably not going to anyway. Also, we've used flower remedies - I'm trying to remember the name of the person who did a consultation for us, but she put together a combination based on Riley's needs at the time which also helped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonny Posted May 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 If it gets bad enough, would it be worth trying him on Zylkene? It's natural medication that was being recommended around firework time. Several Fugees used it so hopefully they could help, if need be Zylkene Link I have thought about this but thought would try the S+V first Whereabouts are you? If you can find another specialist who is willing to claim direct then you can ask your vet to refer you to them instead. I had a recent referral for one of my dogs to Liverpool Uni Teaching Hospital and they claimed direct from my insurance company. Alternatively, could you take out a credit card specifically to pay for this and then once you've had the money back from the insurance company, pay it off and close the account? I hope you get to the bottom of it soon We are in SW Wales. credit card is not an option unfortunately Not tried Skullcap and Valerian, but we have Clive on a Vit B Complex tablet every day, which are the 'stress vitamins' and I am convinced I can tell the difference between him when he is on them and him when I've missed giving them for a few days. Much more tense, more pushy with Dylan, more moody and less affectionate to us. Might be worth giving anyway. Have a Can you be more specific on the Vit B please We've used Tranquility from Hilton Herbs in the past, and it seemed to help with Riley when she was wound up / anxious. CSJ also do a relaxing / stress mix of herbs too although I haven't tried it.S&V didn't help with our old dog but his issues were physical and mental so it was probably not going to anyway. Also, we've used flower remedies - I'm trying to remember the name of the person who did a consultation for us, but she put together a combination based on Riley's needs at the time which also helped. Will look at the CSJ stuff as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReikiAnge Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 I am going to try him on Skullcap and Valerian tablets and was wondering if anybody finds them good or if not what else is worth trying. I tried Sno, my collie, on them before the fireworks period last year and I am sure they helped. Have you looked at TTouch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Careli Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Have you looked at TTouch? Or Galen Myotherapy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purple_mog Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Just a quickie - given the conflicting symptoms you're seeing in Rupert I think it would be a fantastic idea if you can at least get a referral to a vet who uses acupuncture/homeopathy/herbs etc. I have used a variety of treatments for my Finn (extremely noise sensitive, anxious and reactive at times) but its tricky finding the right balance. We use Valerian tincture as in our experience, and based on advice from Jon Bowen (expert vet) the 'gentler' remedies such as DAP, Tranquility and the CSJ herbs were simply not enough to affect his physiology. I've also been warned off using anything with skullcap in as there appears to be some feeling that it affects the animal's ability to learn, hence they may be calmer but you'll not get a long term benefit. Definitely try TTouch and/or good massage therapy (which is what myotherapy is), there may be TTouch practitioners in training near to you who would be able to do much cheaper/free sessions as part of their case studies?? But basically what you describe sounds potentially pretty complex, and as with humans its often safer/quicker/cheaper to get some expert advice if at all possible. You may be able to find a vet here linky If its a financial constraint then could you apply for help from any charities/organisations? Lots of gentle love to your Rupert xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abby Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Look for 'Vitamin B Complex' in any chemist. It's a combination of the B vits with a couple of other things. Clive gets one tablet a day with food, I don't think you generally get much variation in dosages available to buy. I buy in bulk now from Healthy DIrect as it's cheaper, but it is freely available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzycharm Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 My little boy collie is very intense and can be stressy. He is on 'calmer' from petspec/topspec and I think it does work, though obviously it could be that he's just more settled now (he is just over 2 years old now). Topspec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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