Hi all, Laika my 5 year old female collie suffers from mild to debilitating anxiety. I've tried to split up this post so it's easier to read and understand. If anyone has any experience with this or any tips we would really appreciate it !
Back story : I adopted Laika a month ago ( I'm very aware it will take her a longer time to settle) . When we adopted her we were told she went from puppy foster care, to the ISPCA ,back to foster care , then adopted for a year and back to the ISPCA. So its pretty obvious she's been moved around alot. Apart from this her previous owner whom adopted before- his daughter surrendered her back to the ISPCA- suffered from dementia . Its quite obvious she has been abused and it was explained to us that she can be quite nervous. She has been kept as a pet dog as opposed to a working dog
Issues : Laika can be lying on the couch and suddenly sit up , start panting heavily and cannot catch her breath , as if she is having a panic attack. This can last for 2 minutes to 20 minutes, sometimes she looks relaxed, other times her eyes are wide. This is always followed by yawning and lip licking. She also does this in the middle of sleep as if having a nightmare and although she has no fear of jumping in the car , for the entirety of the car journey she will pant and slobber. she will also paw at me and wine for comfort. She growls at all men apart from my partner.
Treatment : She has seen the vet and has been taking Yucalm for almost a month now. Although she has settled more I dont think it is helping anymore, and so Dorwest Skullcap and valerian is next . I am going to have her cortisol levels checked just to make 100 percent sure we are not missing anything. We have a routine of exercise twice a day and food twice a day . We are also starting some training classes ( although she already knows basic training and learns fast) so that we can work on agility in the next months- as she is happiest when she is out exercising. I've also been teaching her ''settle''- to lie down and relax as I'd say about 70 percent of the time she paws and gasps and pants, and I want her to know she will be safe here- but of course it has only been a month and it will take much longer to settle.
If anyone has any experience with this or any tips that would be great , Thank you