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Thunderstorm PhobiasIf your dog is terrified every time it thunders, try placing your dog in an interior room of your house, away from windows. Turn on a fan, radio or TV to try to drown out the sound of the thunder. An excellent drug free option for control of thunderstorm fear, as well as other types of anxiety, is the Thundershirt. Thundershirts apply constant, gentle pressure which can be very calming and comforting. This concept is similar to swaddling a newborn baby. Your dog may need a brief introductory period to become accustomed to how the Thundershirt feels. We suggest trying the Thundershirt on during a quiet, non-stressful time so that your dog can get used to the Thundershirt before a storm or other stressful event. The following testimonial is taken from the Prior Lake American Newspaper dated July 5, 2011: Thunder? No fear
Rave: I'm not big on plugging products unless I really, really believe in them, and I have not been paid for the following endorsement. But I wholeheartedly recommend the Thundershirt for anyone whose dog is terrified of loud noises (thunder, fireworks, nail guns, etc.) or easily stressed out in general. Though skeptical, I bought one recently for my skittish shepherd mix, who turns into a panting, pacing lunatic when she hears a loud "bang," especially many in quick succession. Anyway, after a brief introductory period in which my dog stood motionless for about 15 minutes, wondering what I'd just wrapped around her body, she began to relax. And when the next thunderstorm came, I put the shirt on her again, and she immediately stopped pacing and panting, instead opting to lie down calmly and quietly until the thunder subsided. The idea is that gentle pressure is soothing - apparently it's similar to swaddling a baby or the close-fitting vests and shirts noted for calming those affected by autism. The ultimate test, however will be this weekend. We don't really look forward to the Fourth of July around our house. Maybe this year will be different. -Lori Carlson Chaska Valley Veterinary Clinic carries Thundershirts. Call for more information and for our competitive pricing. You can also visit the Thundershirt website for more information. If your dog has serious storm phobias, you should discuss other treatment options with your veterinarian. AllergiesSeasonal allergies are more common during the warmer months. Our pets can develop allergies to pollens, molds, trees, weeds grasses and other outdoor and indoor allergens. Unlike humans, our pets do not develop sneezing, runny noses or other respiratory symptoms. Clinical signs of allergies in pets usually include itchy skin, licking paws, ear infections, skin infections and eye infections. Dogs are more commonly affected by seasonal allergies than are cats. Dogs with allergies are usually very uncomfortable and itchy. The more the dog itches, the more prone (s)he is to develop secondary skin, ear and eye infections. If your pet becomes itchy as the warmer months approach, please schedule an appointment to discuss options for treating his/her allergies. We will first want to determine if a true seasonal allergy is the culprit, or if your pet is allergic to his/her food, or to an indoor allergen (dust, houseplants, cats, etc.). Allergies cannot be cured, but there are a number of treatment options available to help keep your pet more comfortable, and to prevent secondary infections. 
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