wisteria hysteria is over

[dianer]

I am forgetful so if I posted this last year forgive me. Last week our cairn Leo ran away. I had our post operative cairn Cassie indoors and Leo was outside alone. When we went to walk both dogs we found his harness hung up on the gate and no Leo. All three of us went searching the neighborhood in different directions. My daughter took her scooter to cover more area and found him at a house that took him in and fed him! It was quite far from our house. That night and the next he shook with fear and kept us all awake with his terrified pacing. There was nothing wrong with him other than the horrible farts he had the first night from whatever he was fed. Then I figured it out. Our patio was covered the next morning with wisteria seeds and half pods that had "gone off". The weather was a tad bit cooler and damper and it causes them to pop open with a bang that sounds like a .22 and seeds richochet off the windows of our house. When all the pods were open he was calm, like nothing had happened. He had a fearful reaction to them last year but not as serious and he certainly didn't run away. All I can figure is that without Cassie around to look to for clues he panicked and ran. At least I hope that is the case, since otherwise he is getting worse. I am thinking of keeping either a thunder vest or doggie prozac on hand next fall. Looks like I also have to give the wisteria a serious whacking. Now I just need a reminder for next year when the weather turns.

[kjwarnold]

Reminds of earlier this fall when the fish jumped out of the water and slapped Kirby in the face. He was scared to death of fish after that, and didn't even want to go into the water. He's mostly gotten past that, although it's taken a couple of months. Give Leo time and I'm sure he'll get over it. Of course, you may have the same problem next year, but at least now you'll know what to watch for. Plus, Cassie should be back to help him stay calm! Good luck!

[Meggie]

Has anyone tried the dog version of Feliway for cats?? It's called Comfort Zone.They have the plug ins for the house, sprays for bedding and a collar.

Our vet begged us to try this before using prozac on a cat. We only bought it to appease the vet. It's a phermone/aromatherapy treatment (hence why I basically laughed it off) I am a huge skeptic on stuff like this, but we got the cat plug-ins and spray last week to mellow out our fear based-aggressive cat and it was INSTANT. Didn't cure him, but the intensity of his anxiety has gone down enormously.

I read up reviews and find it's hit or miss...but maybe for something like this it's worth a shot. If it helped my maniac cat (obviously cat's are far less flexible emotionally than dogs) maybe the collar could relax Leo's reaction to the war in the garden!

Here is a link to the collar: http://www.amazon.co...0526994&sr=8-11

Consider other options before medicating! Prozac has some weird side effects, weight gain included which is tough on our guy's little bodies!

Glad Leo came back safe and sound although shaken.

[hheldorfer]

Very glad that Leo returned home unscathed - other than his wisteria trauma. I never knew wisteria pods did that. Glad I don't have any!

[sanford]

Has anyone tried the dog version of Feliway for cats?? It's called Comfort Zone.They have the plug ins for the house, sprays for bedding and a collar.

Although I'm a bit skeptical re some herbal/alternative therapies, different remedies work for different dogs, (and different people, too)! Comfort Zone might be worth a try.

P.S. Be sure to mark your calendar, so you'll be ready for next year's "wisteria hysteria"!