Effective Stress Relief Treatments for Dogs: Expert Tip
When dogs are subjected to intense or prolonged stressors such as fear, extreme heat, longdistance transportation, fatigue, injury, noise, vaccinations, owner reprimands, change in ownership, alterations in diet and feeding routines, forced socialization, confinement, and transport in crowded conditions, or exposure to climate change and environmental pollution, they may experience a severe or chronic stress response. This can disrupt the hypothalamicpituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis, leading to specific functional impairments and nonspecific defense reactions. These adaptations are the body's attempt to cope with the environment, resulting in a stress syndrome.
Symptoms of this stress syndrome include a lack of energy, indifference to people and the outside world, and normal or slightly elevated body temperature, heart rate, and breathing. The conjunctiva may appear pale or blue, with discharge from the inner corners of the eyes, and sticky secretions around the nostrils and mouth. Heart sounds may be weak, and there may be rough bronchial and alveolar sounds, as well as weak intestinal peristalsis. Dogs may exhibit vomiting, diarrhea, decreased urination, and coughing. Appetite and thirst may diminish significantly, leading to weight loss, increased lying down, and difficulty standing. Some dogs may stumble while walking, become unconscious, experience a drop in body temperature, a rapid and weak heartbeat, and difficulty breathing, ultimately leading to death. In some cases, dogs may become extremely anxious, howl, spin in circles, and tremble.
Treatment involves calming the dog, relaxing muscles, reducing inflammation and pain, strengthening the heart, and improving breathing. Medications such as sodium camphorsulfonate (0.05mL/kg body weight), dexamethasone (0.10.3mg/kg body weight), and amoxicillin (0.10.2g/kg body weight) can be administered intramuscularly.强力解毒敏 (0.10.2mL/kg) can also be injected intramuscularly. Intravenous fluids like 510% glucose and 1020mL/kg of compound sodium chloride can be administered. For symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or breathing difficulties, additional symptomatic treatments are necessary. For example, metoclopramide (10mg per dose, twice daily) can be injected intramuscularly to stop vomiting, and antidiarrheal medication can be used for diarrhea. In cases of bleeding, a hemostatic agent can be injected, and aminophylline can be used for severe coughing.
Prevention involves minimizing, reducing, and eliminating stressors, as well as training dogs to become more adaptable to various stressors. In unavoidable situations, the use of chlorpromazine can help relax muscles, calm the dog, and reduce anxiety, which is a fundamental measure for preventing this condition.
