My dog was having a panic attack because of the fireworks!

[undeterred]

Last night he was a total lunatic and I didn't know why. He's old and deaf and he hasn't acted thatway since he was going deaf over a year ago.

Then I remembered that I found my neighbor's mostly blind and deaf dog running down the street in a total panic a few years ago on the 4th of July. She couldn't hear much but she could hear the fireworks that local neighborhood kids were setting off and she was terrified.

So, with another week of this noise in my neighborhood, I called my vet and got him a sedative.

[NYdemocrat089]

1. Our dog did this too.

Last week one of the car dealerships in town decided to have fireworks to promote a sale. My mom was taking the dog on her walk when the show started and she started walking fast so she could get home. She didn't even stop to do her business because she was so scared.

[undeterred]

6. Poor thing!

It must make them feel like someone is shooting at them. I suppose hunting dogs wouldn't be bothered by it.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. That's not unusual, though different dogs react differently to loud noises

My little guy, in my sig, slept through the most terrible storm a couple of weeks ago, but my beloved Cairn Terrier would totally freak out during thunderstorms, to the point of just hating rain, and fireworks were a real nightmare. I can remember a couple of Fourth of Julys with him. During one, I took him to work with me, since I didn't dare leave him home alone, and, during another, I had to pick up my parents at the airport, so I took him with me. We could hear the fireworks from the highway and he spent the whole trip cowering on my lap.:scared:

And this dog lived to 18 1/2, had cataracts and also lost much of his hearing, but I'm sure that he still felt the vibrations and reacted as he always had, poor little guy. :-(

So I sure sympathize with you and your dog! Did the sedative help? My vet has prescribed acepromazine. I dread the Fourth of July.x(

[undeterred]

3. The sedative does help.

You have to be careful though. My vet told me about a dog who would hide in the bathtub during thunderstorms. They gave him a valium type drug. He liked it so well he started getting in the bathtub and shaking even when there was no thunderstorm.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. OMG! I never thought of that! Yikes!

My previous vet prescribed a sedative for my cocker who was terrified to ride in the car. I only gave it to him one time, when the trip was over an hour, and didn't notice much difference, except that he drooled. But my current vet prescribed acepromazine, and this made a real difference, which is the reason I mentioned it. He is very tuned into the animals and was afraid that the dog could get into physical trouble since he was also 18 and got very anxious. I gave it to him when I took him to the groomer and she said he was a different dog, just fine, no panting, no shaking. But I only gave it to him when I really had to...:shrug:

Edited to include a pic of my Barney...:loveya:

[undeterred]

5. Years ago I took my border collie puppy to the fireworks display

-as if a dog would really state at the colors in the sky and say, wow, cool. She bolted and ran home 3 miles when the first ones went off. We came there in a car, and it was a part of town I had never been to, so I was amazed at what dogs are capable of. She was on the 2nd floor of my apartment building instead of the 3rd, but she found her way home. I think everyone makes this mistake once. She was a wreck around the 4th of July for the rest of her life.

A fireworks display is nice, but I hate the days and days of noise that goes on around the 4th. Its legal to sell fireworks in Wisconsin, so I just have to put up with it, but I know a lot of animals are getting freaked out by it.

[Rhiannon12866]

10. I sure do understand, since I know what I went through with my pup.

I love the colors of the displays, but have come to hate the noise, after what I went through with my dog. You were very fortunate that your dog found her way home. That's pretty amazing!:wow:

I was on the lake, tonight, and brought my little guy, in my sig, since he goes most places with me. They had fireworks, tonight, and plan more for Sunday and Monday. This dog is able to sleep through it all, but I will probably never enjoy them, since I went through so much with my little Cairn Terrier. Fireworks aren't legal in NY, unless it's an official display, but there sure are a lot of them!:-(

[Kajsa]

7. The sale and use of fireworks are legal in my city.

Every July 1st they go on sale through the 4th.
That night, I have to watch my two cats like a hawk.

They totally freak out when the fireworks start. We have to put them
in the big bedroom with their food dishes and litter box. It's the quietest
room in the house. Under no circumstances can they go out until it quiets
down.

I really feel for the animals when fireworks go off.
Their hearing is so sensitive and much better than our hearing.

It must sound like a friggin war zone to them!

[evirus]

8. my dog would always be scared of those

he would hide under this rocking chair we hade, or the kitchen table, or just go down in the basement

[Scout1071]

9. I had the world's largest lab and he was terrified of fireworks.

Serious doggie panic attack. I ended up having to sedate him. I got some doggie downers from the vet so that he would essentially sleep through the night.

[grasswire]

11. my friend nearly lost his dog in the ocean on July 4

The dog was trying to get away from the sound of fireworks on the beach and start swimming out to sea and was carried away and exhausted. He was found later by some other people, who called the home phone number on the collar. Unfortunately, no one could answer that phone because everyone was away from home. Fortunately, the friend realized he should call the home voice mail for messages, and was finally able to retrieve the dog.

Lessons: this friend now gives the dog a vet-prescribed med for the anxiety the first week in July.

Second, if you put a phone number on your dog, also put your cell phone number.

[SeattleGirl]

12. My four furbabys (3 cats and a dog) are pretty freaked out.

We've had fireworks going off around here for the last 5 days. Scares the crap out of them, the poor things.

[Jazz2006]

13. My dog has changed as she has aged....

Nothing used to faze her but now, when there is a thunder and lightning storm, for instance, she hunkers down in a corner or under a bed - something she never used to do at all.

Same thing with fireworks. They never used to bother her at all but now she finds a cozy spot out of sight until they are over.

[uppityperson]

14. I have puffy scared cats and a nervous dog too

Keep checking on them and letting them be in a (fairly) quiet room. Not a good time for animals. Good luck all.