Page 8 - Hobe Sound Reflections - July '23

Page 8, Hobe Sound

tIp oF the taIl

Storm Phobia There are several treatment options for thunderstorm are steps you can take to help your pup feel better. The most

anxiety in dogs. The most common are behavioral treatments, important thing is to stay calm yourself and keep an eye
which can be done by your veterinarian or a certified animal on your dog during storms. If he seems anxious or starts
behaviorist. Your veterinarian can help you with diagnosing a exhibiting unusual behavior (like hiding under furniture),
noise phobia and differentiating it from other health concerns then it’s time to implement some changes.
or anxieties. If no underlying medical issues can be found, Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center is
your vet may prescribe medication for treating thunderstorm dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pets. With
anxiety in dogs. These medications can help reduce stress focuses on compassionate care in surgery, physical therapy and
levels during storms and make them feel less anxious overall. rehabilitation, preventative medicine, extensive diagnostics, and
Typically, these are used if behavioral treatments don’t work. emergency service, Palm City Animal Medical Center combines
One of the better treatments, especially for small dogs is Sileo exceptional medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and
Thunderstorm anxiety is a form of noise phobia that can which works within 20 minutes. their owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
occur in dogs. It’s characterized by fear and anxiety when there In conclusion, if you’re the owner of a dog that suffers www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
are loud noises like thunder, fireworks, or gunshots. Common from thunderstorm anxiety, it’s important to know that there at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
signs of thunderstorm anxiety include: excessive barking or
whining, hiding, destructive behavior (chewing on furniture), BusIness spotlIGht
and panting.
You may be able to prevent thunderstorm anxiety in certain
dogs by creating a positive association with thunderstorms. This
can be done by exposing your dog to loud noises and storms by Audi Stuart: award, an Elite Magna Society award and multiple J.D. Power
playing recordings of storms in their presence. You’ll want to Dealer of Excellence awards. And while Audi Stuart’s customer
start at a low volume to gauge their response. Small Business, Big Impact service is commendable, their contribution to the Treasure Coast
Dogs who experience chronic stress are more likely than community is extremely noteworthy. Audi Stuart is known for
others to develop fear-related behaviors such as aggression or Located on the west side of U.S. Route 1 near Pomeroy their community involvement, and they proudly sponsor Martin
excessive barking when they hear thunderstorms approaching (or Street is one of the Florida Treasure Coast’s biggest secrets, County’s Teacher of the Year Award, Toys for Tots, and Paws
even after one has passed). If you know that your dog has been Audi Stuart, an Audi Magna Society award-winning dealership, and Claws, just to name a few of the many charities.
through stressful events recently – such as being left alone too which has served the area for over ten years. Known for their “The Treasure Coast has been so kind to us for over ten
often or moving into a new home – you should seek professional outstanding customer service, Audi Stuart has earned numerous years, and we hope at some point we can personally thank each
help from a certified trainer who can teach you how to best handle awards, including the aforementioned Audi Magna Society and every one of you for embracing us,” says Devin Carlson,
these situations so they don’t become triggers for anxiety later managing partner of Audi Stuart.
down the road. So the next time you take a trip
To help your dog manage his anxiety, you’ll need to create up or down U.S. Route 1, make
a safe environment for them. One of the best ways to do this is sure you stop by and say hi to
by creating a thunderstorm-proof space in your home that has the friendly team at Audi Stuart!
minimal exposure to light and sound. If possible, keep them Thank them for their community
away from windows and other areas where they could see or involvement and congratulate
hear storms approaching. You can also try using sound therapy them on their commitment
and other calming techniques during storms if they don’t cause to guest satisfaction, which
too much disruption in your home. Sound machines are often is shown in the awards they
used for this purpose, as well as calming music. Be sure to avoid proudly display online and in
punishment if your dog is experiencing anxiety, this can make their showroom.
things worse.