Severe anxiety in dogs of the type often associated with outside stimuli like thunderstorms can lead to poor health and even diminished life span, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Difficult cases often require treatment with drugs, but over time, drug therapy combined with careful behavioral modification and positive reinforcement can help an anxious dog better cope with stressful thunderstorms.
Condition
Thunderstorm anxiety symptoms can be mild to severe. Generally, indoor dogs exhibit mild symptoms like panting, agitation and slight trembling. More stubborn cases might involve hiding under a bed or in the back of a closet. Hiding behavior can be problematic with small dogs if they able to retreat to a place where it is difficult for owners to coax them back out. More severe symptoms can result in destructive behavior like chewing or digging which can lead to injury if the behavior is particularly manic.
Diagnosis
In a study conducted at Penn State University and published in the journal "Applied Animal Behavior Science," veterinary Dr. Nancy Dreschel brought 19 dog-owner pairs together and simulated the sounds of a thunderstorm. The experiment revealed a significant jump in cortisol levels in the blood of those dogs most affected by the simulated storm, linking biological processes to the exhibition of symptoms. In some cases, severely afflicted dogs showed a 200 percent jump in cortisol levels. While simple observation is often sufficient to spot thunderstorm anxiety, a test of cortisol levels can reveal the intensity of the biological response.
Causes
No one knows for sure why some dogs are anxious during thunderstorms and others are not, but there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that the herding breeds are particularly susceptible. Centuries of breeding and training have resulted in keen protective instincts in the herders which might result in quick but non-aggressive action to sudden dangerous stimuli. The instinct to suppress the aggressive response leads to manifestations of anxiety instead. Rescue animals are also susceptible due to mistreatment or abuse before the time of the rescue, though Dr. Dreschel's Penn State study indicated no correlation between anxious dogs and the "quality" of the relationship with their owners.
Drug Therapy
Mild sedatives can ease the acute reaction in anxious dogs if they are given well in advance of an oncoming thunderstorm. Vet Info Digest founder Michael Richards, a veterinarian, recommends small doses of amitriptyline or diazepam--Valium--to help keep nervous pets calm when the storm hits, but anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications be administered as a prophylactic treatment to ward off the anxiety reaction entirely. Each animal is different, and their reactions are sometimes specific to the conditions, so give your vet as much information as you can to help him make a decision about drug treatments.
Behavioral Therapy
The most common behavioral therapy is desensitization. This involves simulating thunderstorm sounds while simultaneously playing with your dog, using his favorite toys or giving him treats during the session so that he can associate something positive with the stimuli. This treatment has limits, though, as certain factors are impossible to replicate. Drops in barometric pressure or ionization from lightening strikes could inspire the anxiety response as much or more than the sights and sounds of a thunderstorm, so a multi-modal approach to treatment is best. You may be able to start with a prophylactic drug therapy and slowly wean your dog off the medication after making significant strides with desensitization therapy administered simultaneously.
