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BEHAVIOR

Anxiety, in general

Species affected: All
Background: An emotional state of fear and tension.
Symptoms: Pets and horses may demonstrate anxiety in a variety of bizarre behaviors and physical manifestations. Dogs and cats may chew on themselves, urinate or defecate inappropriately, or destroy items in their environment; horses may become hyperactive, easily frightened, or engage in obsessive repetitive behaviors such as weaving, stall walking or cribbing.
Diagnostics: A complete history including all aspects of the environment, the diet, social relations with other animals and humans (or lack thereof), and exposure to noxious sounds and odors, lifestyle changes or other stimuli. Certain breeds can be more prone to anxiety states. Hormonal changes need to be taken into consideration in some animals.
Special Notes: Animals in a chronic state of anxiety can suffer from numerous physical conditions such as allergies, self-mutilation and digestive upsets that are related to the primary condition of anxiety.
Principles for Supplementation: Relieve mental tension.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS
Therapeutics: Dosage: Mechanism/Purpose:
Calm Spirit3 Cats 1/4 - 1/2 tablet, bid or tid No tranquilizing effect; helps relieve stress-associated emotions/reactions (e.g., anxiety, insomnia).
Dogs 1/2 - 2 tablets, bid or tid
Hyper-Ex9 Cats 1/4 capsule, sid Saint John's Wort is best known for treatment of depression that is difficult to diagnose; useful for possible anti-anxiety effects in some cats and dogs.
Dogs 1-2 capsules/50 lbs, sid
Sedaplus9 Cats 1/2 capsule, sid Mild herbal tranquilizing combination; potentially useful for separation anxiety in dogs, inappropriate urination and defecation cats; may be good for travel.
Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid

 

EQUINE PRODUCTS
Therapeutics: Dosage: Mechanism/Purpose:
DL-Phenylalanine96-10 capsules, sid Affects the endorphin system; helps some horses focus better.
Equine Chinese Herbal Relaxed & Alert91/2 - 2/3 scoops, bid Adrenal stress contributes to anxiety; this formula balances the adrenals, especially in restless horses.
Hilton Response42-4 scoops, sid Combination of herbs that have a calming effect.
Hyper-Ex98 capsules, sid or bid Some horses respond better to hypericum to settle them down; each horse is different.

 

Feline Psychogenic Alopecia

Species affected: Cats
Background: May have many causes, including allergic, endocrine, parasitic, neoplastic and others. Reasons for this behavior are poorly understood, but anxiety or underlying inflammatory problems such as inhalant allergies, food allergies, or cystitis may be a factor.
Symptoms: Total alopecia, in some cases due to cats licking themselves incessantly (usually in the area of the ventral abdomen and/or legs), is common to this condition. abdomen and/or legs), is common to this condition.
Diagnostics: Should include endocrine testing for diabetes, Cushing's Disease, and hyperthyroidism, cultures for dermatophytosis, skin scrapings for demodicosis, an elimination diet trial or other diagnostics if appropriate.
Special Notes: If other disorders are ruled out, psychogenic alopecia is a possibility.
Principles for Supplementation: Reduce anxiety, anti-inflammatory. FELINE PRODUCTS

FELINE PRODUCTS
Therapeutics:Dosage: Mechanism/Purpose: Mechanism/Purpose:
Calm Spirit3Cats 1/4 - 1/2 tablet, bid or tid No tranquilizing effect; helps relieve stress-associated emotions/reactions (e.g., anxiety, insomnia).
Kava Kava9Cats 1/2 capsule, sid Muscle relaxing, anxiolytic.
Sedaplus9Cats 1/2 capsule, sid Anti-anxiety effects may help address behavioral aspects of this problem.
Super EPA9Cats 1/2 capsule, sid From fish oil, anti-inflammatory to address potential allergies.

Separation Anxiety

Species affected: All
Background: A condition of anxiety experienced when the animal is left alone. There may be self-mutilation, excessive vocalization, household destruction, inappropriate elimination.
Symptoms: May include panting, salivating, rapid breathing and heart rate.
Diagnostics: Many through history.
Special Notes: Aggravating factors include the sudden departure of the owner(s) or exaggerated greeting/departing rituals that magnify the emotional effects of the abandonment. Some dogs may sense the owner's anxiety, complicating the problem. Animals who do not get adequate exercise may be more prone to the stress of confinement.
Principles for Supplementation: The condition responds well to behavior training and desensitization; pharmaceutical and herbal anxiolytics ease the process.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS
Therapeutics: Dosage: Mechanism/Purpose:
Ease Plus3 Cats 1/4 - 1/2 tablet, bid or tid Mild sedative effect. Helps relieve nervousness and emotional stress.
Dogs 1/2 - 2 tablets, bid or tid
Memoractiv9Dogs 1-2 capsules, sid For anxiety associated with cognitive disorders.
Sedaplus9 Cats 1/2 capsule, sid For mild anxiolytic effects.
Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid or bid

Trailering and Travel

Species affected: All
Background: Nausea from the motion of a moving vehicle.
Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, excess salivation, restlessness.
Diagnostics: A complete history.
Special Notes: None.
Principles for Supplementation: Relieve some of the anxiety regarding travel, which in turn, seems to relieve the motion sickness.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS
Therapeutics: Dosage: Mechanism/Purpose:
Ease Plus3 Cats 1/4 - 1/2 tablet, bid or tid Mild sedative effect; helps relieve nervousness and emotional stress.
Dogs 1/2 - 2 tablets, bid or bid
Sedaplus9 Cats 1/2 capsule, sid Mild anxiolytic effects.
Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid or bid

EQUINE PRODUCTS
Therapeutics: Dosage: Mechanism/Purpose:
Hyper-Ex98-12 capsules q. 12 hours p.r.n., 30 minutes prior to travel Relieves some of the anxiety surrounding travel.
Memoractiv912 capsules, 30 minutes prior to travel Relieves some of the anxiety surrounding travel.
Rescue Remedy18-10 drops in water or orally, p.r.n., 15-30 minutes prior to travel Relieves stress, anxiety.

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Disclaimer:  The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian before using any nutraceuticals.