Media release

One thunderstorm too many could land sensitive pooches in long-term rehab according to the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA).

Up to 60 per cent of dogs are prone to noise-related phobias, often brought on by exposure events like thunderstorms and firework displays, according to AVA spokesperson, Dr Andrew O’Shea.

Dr O’Shea warns that even a single severe thunderstorm can cause long-term damage to pooches.

“The problem is that a traumatic event such as large thunderstorm or a seasonal firework display  can cause your pet’s fear response to quickly develop into a phobia, and once a dog has a noise-related phobia it’s extremely difficult, time consuming and expensive to treat,” he said.

“Unfortunately, over the years I have treated dogs with noise phobias that were so severe they have run through plate glass windows, broken their legs and ripped off their nails trying to escape a storm.

“Dogs with severe phobias start to generalise and then even a darkening sky, a change in the ozone or a drop in air pressure will trigger their fear response,” said Dr O’Shea.

Dr O’Shea says that treatment of these most severe cases involves re-wiring their memory through a process of counter-conditioning.

“What we try to do is reprogram them so that when they hear the noise of a thunderstorm approaching they will think of liver rather than the bad experience they had last time there was a storm.”

Dr O’Shea says that common signs of noise related distress include agitation, pupil dilation, increased respiration, shaking and drooling, which are all part of the animal’s fight or flight response.

“The important thing is to help your dog to cope and not to punish this type of behaviour even if you can’t see any obvious reason for it,” he said. 

“Some ways that owners can help their pets deal with noise-related problems include providing them with access to a safe haven like a cool dark space during storms, and sometimes a wet towel can also help.

“It’s important to talk to your vet as soon as possible if these behaviours arise, as they can be dealt with much more easily if they’re caught early,” he said.

Profile

Rosie was a 4 year old cattle dog cross causing a great deal of damage around the house and many sleepless nights due to her fears and anxieties associated with a "thunderstorm phobia".

She had generalised her phobia, and in her mind even wind predicted the approach of a thunderstorm. This was a major problem as she lived on the windy south coast of NSW, and because of her behaviour she had been banished outdoors. The owners were so worried about not being able to help Rosie they had even considered putting her to sleep.

Rosie's phobia was managed with the use of a safe refuge, pheromones, medications and a great deal of loving attention and behaviour modification by her owners.

She now lives indoors and outdoors with her family and although she is still a little scared of the storms she no longer panics with wind, lightening, or thunder and life is much better for the whole family.