Can dogs get panic attacks?

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   badeggposted 13 years ago

   Can dogs get panic attacks?

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   lilgirlzposted 13 years ago

   yes, I think they can since they express similar emotions as humans.

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   Faithful Daughterposted 13 years ago

   They can have separation anxiety just like humans and have fears or phobias that can cause destructive behavior. I had a dog that whenever i would leave her alone, I would come home to find the house destroyed... broken lamps, broken glass, chewed up things. When it thundered, she would panic and do the same. The vet has medication for behavior disorders like these.

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4. 73

   tnderhrt23posted 13 years ago

   I have to agree. Dogs most definitely can have anxiety attacks that display in either destructive behavior or noisy, out of control behavior. My son has a Snoodle we adopted from the pound, that I am convinced was abused in some fashion during travel before he came to us. This dog goes nuts, crying and whining , can't sit still or even sit, in a car. He has to be crated and sedated to travel anywhere. Even holding him in my arms doesn't comfort him.  He is such a sweet natured dog, obedient and compliant in all ways but this...He also gets anxious during storms and when left alone...

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   keepitnaturalposted 13 years ago

   Yes. When faced with certain situations, for whatever reason, a dog may find themselves unable to cope. Underlying nervous issues may or may not be down to previous suffering or cruelty, sometimes it would just appear to be down to the personality of the dog. Something in the immediate surroundings will usually trigger such nervous behaviour & if you have had your dog since a pup, you need to get to the bottom of it because should this spiral, the dog may bite someone one day.

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   badeggposted 13 years ago

   I asked the question "Do Dogs Suffer From Anxiety Attacks?", and received some very good answers. I was asking this on behalf of one of my dogs, Tinkerbelle, who seems to have some separation anxiety when it comes to one of her toys. Thanks for the... read more

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   Butch Newsposted 13 years ago

   Most definitely.  I've heard studies that say if a dog wags their tail mostly to the left it is under stress, and if to the right it is happy.  This was a bona fide scientific study but not conclusive.
   
   But they definitely, positively can get panic attacks.  Some dogs go nuts the moment their owner disappears.  That is a serious condition which can be cured.
   
   Many dogs bark when their owner is away but the dog just thinks it's protecting the property and it isn't a sign of panic.  That, too, can be cured.

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   onegoodwomanposted 13 years ago

   Yes, my own dog, a competant protector, skilled hunter, adaptable to many living conditions can not tolerate high winds.
   
   It can rain, snow or sleet.....but high winds make him restless, to the point of distraction to me as I drive or go about my routine.  He seeks comfort and becomes an obstacle to be worked around.
   
   I stop short of much to comfort and reassure him.  He has meds available, but over the last three years, I have medicated him only twice, just because, I would rather interrupt my routine than to knock him out........

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