Age related phobia? - Page 2

I would definately have her checked for Hypothyroid, same thing happened with my 9 yr old malamute/golden mix she never minded thunderstorms/fireworks then started to show severe stress around any loud noises, took her to 2 vets they had no clue saying she was healthy etc.  Finally went with a vet who did Thyroid testing on her right away, she wasn't that low but it definately made a difference.  I also was in touch with Dr Jean Dodds [great vet!] she said many times its a thyroid issue when dogs start to show fear etc.  Good luck and let us know what happens at the vet! 
Amy

Deanna,

I am definitely thinking about one of the air craft crates, liberally lined with used t-shirts and maybe even covered at the side with a blanket for extra 'cave like' protection.

Amy,

The thing is she's not bothered by loud noises.  She still works under gun fire and could care less about fireworks going off or anything like that.  It's just thunderstorms where I have seen an increase in anxiety.  Also her coat is in good nick, her weight is perfect, her energy has neither increased nor decreased from normal levels and there are no other indicators of thyroid, we actually went through a thyroid scare with my female shepherd so I remember that check list.  But thank you for the suggestion, I will still talk about it with the vet.

 For years I was told I couldn't have a thyroid problem because my hair is nice and I'm 5'4", 115-120lbs. Finally, one doctor tested me and said he didn't know how I could function, it was so low. There can be a huge problem w/few, if any, physical symptoms. 

I would definitely do a full blood panel to rule out the simple stuff, because as I said in my last post, that could be caused by almost anything in a dog that age. Too many possibilities to just guess. 

Yes, do get a full work up at the vet. If nothing else it will rule out the physical and send you more toward partial deafness or dementia. An exray to clear tumors would also be the route I would take.
ALSO,
Do NOT comfort her when she is afraid!!! You are only encouraging her to BE afraid. That's just how dogs think. Praise/comfort/soothing words or touch = I'm being good.
Good luck! Hope it's nothing serious!
Debby

RLHAR, this isn't uncommon in senior dogs, and it does have a correlation to the changes in their hearing.  Setting up a covered airline crate that she can enter at her option is worth trying; leaving a radio on, tuned to either a talk station or an easy-listening/classical format, is definitely helpful for these dogs. Consider using melatonin; that has been documented to be effective in sufficiently relaxing senior dogs that develop a storm phobia, is relatively cheap, doesn't require a prescription, and is unlikely to cause any adverse effects.  If, however, she continues to escalate the level of her phobia, you will need to consider advancing to more serious medications such as Xanax--storm phobias should NOT be left untreated, as they can literally result in the death of the animal. 

veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp

I saw changes in my first GSD as he got older.  Noticeable when he started having some hearing loss, the things that didn't bother him before terrified him.

I have a middle aged female that has had sever sound issues for a few years.   After a good Vet check including blood tests then you can try some other things.  What I have found seems to really help my female are: Thundershirt, it is a body wrap, can be left on for long periods of time if needed.  And an herbal product called TranQuil Tabs from Entirely Pets (.com).   Also a place where the Lab feels secure, I have a modified VariKennel after my female ripped off two doors and broke a canine tooth.  So a secure crate maybe needed.  My female is very partial to War Movies becuase it helps disquise the thunder.

 

Definately agree on the full panel for bloodwork, our girl had a great coat perfect weight and was hypothyroid the only sign I noticed was her fear of loud noises.  It did start with thunderstorms then went to fireworks etc. The vet said we caught it very early.  Always best to be safe and check everything, if it is just her getting older and worrying more at least you would have peace of mind that she's not ill. 

Best of luck!
Amy

I agree with the full work up but also think it is a good chance of being what Hexe suggests.  I have a 13 year old girl and a few years ago she became terrified of clickers and clicking sounds like a tape measure being extended.  At first, she would run and hide under the bed in a panic but it has gotten to the point that if she sees a clicker or a tape measure she goes upstairs and sleeps on the bed so she is away from the offending device.  Obviously your dog's sound issues are more problematic to control than mine is.  Good luck.

And you are right I would not give her any type of med's until after she has her blookwork done.  You do not want to change anything or mask something.  Best of luck with her, really hard to watch them struggle during their golden years, can't hardly bare it.  Nan

if you have to work and you know your going to get storms ,put her in the crate while your not home ,she will be safest there ,no meds until vet while your not home,she may have developed   anxiety problems with  her coming to stay with you .during a storm crate is the safest  wth the door closed not open