hammer118928
New member
Marking this as a 'success' even though we have a long road ahead 
To condense a longer backstory into a shorter one: adopting Odin, my partially blind and fear-reactive rescue this past October was a major turning point for me. I’ve had dogs before, but this was my first time being the guardian of one that was reactive. He snaps at strangers. Other dogs send him into a panic. He will throw himself at a fence to try and get at whatever unfamiliar dog dared to bark and startle him. His anxiety around strangers and other dogs makes everyday activities, like vet visits and walks, a challenge to put it lightly. We’ve been working with a trainer since November, but I also decided (after speaking with my vet) that it’d be worth spending the money on a veterinary behaviorist.
That was tough though – after switching Odin from Banfield (following a bad experience) to a certified fear-free clinic, our new vet recommended three board-certified DVM/DACVB veterinary behaviorists in Florida. All of them were far away, because of course they were, and I started making calls. It seems crazy to me that someone can be booked out for 6 months, even a year, but with 3 in the whole state I guess I just underestimated demand. That being said, we got so lucky in finding an opening with one such DVM/DACVB in the Tampa area, which is just a two-hour drive away for us. She specialized in positive training methods and had some good reviews, so even though my wallet was wincing, we made the appointment.
… which this past Thursday!
I was nervous leading up to the appointment. We’re finally at the point where Odin likes his new vet after about a month’s worth of victory visits and a crazy amount of peanut butter, but this was a new doctor in a new place. We met in a neutral fenced in play field, and she entirely ignored Odin while we talked (even though he was entirely fixated, pulling on his lead, trying to get towards her), allowing him to assess her on his terms without pressure. It was the same when we went inside, just… totally ignoring him, which is exactly what he needs. We went over his medical history. We talked about his shelter history and possible causes for his eye damage, reviewed videos I had taken… etc etc…
We talked a lot about diet and nutrition, more than I expected actually. My dog is already on Reconcile, but I didn’t know just how many options were actually out there. We talked about the benefits of different supplements that I could try to add, as well as new prescriptions, and all the while… Odin was decompressing. With his muzzle on, he was now sniffing her and checking her out calmly. Begging for a treat once he realized she had some.
After the first cookie, he was a goner, lol. Full on cuddle, trying to be in her lap, belly rub, the works. I have literally never seen this dog act this way with a vet!
While we’re still working on our triggers, I’ve got to say it feels so good to have a plan now, and a but more robust support. We’re trying out some supplements like N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and CBD oil, along with a continuation of fluoxetine (Reconcile), and a new drug for vet visits (one that I rub on his gums) called Sileo. She also sent instructions on teaching Odin a breathing behavior to help him relax – though I’m going to have to teach him how to do it first (wish me luck). There some interesting research about NAC, which I had never heard of before, and the Gut-Brain Axis when it comes to anxiety so I am hopeful about that as well.
From what was explained to me, and I am paraphrasing... NAC is a supplement with many uses, but it's most commonly used as a treatment for toxicity in animals (like when they ingest something with xylitol). Our behaviorist explained that in the brain, there is evidence that this supplement helps to regulate glutamate production so it is not present in high amounts. Turns out that in high amounts, it can be neurotoxic and its been correlated to a few psychiatric disorders and loss of emotional regulation, so this supplement will (hopefully) keep it from being in an excessive amount in his brain.
Of course, discuss with your own vet before you try anything new, though. We are trying these supplements under direct DVM supervision and at levels/doses that are appropriate for my dog. I left dosing info out on purpose because I don't think this is something that people should be DIYing without speaking to a vet first.
Anyway, I know this is pretty long and rambly, but I am so so so so happy that we did this. I learned so much. I was very much on the fence about shelling out the cash for this kind of thing, but I am so glad that I did and I really feel like I have a framework that I can use and will work!!
To condense a longer backstory into a shorter one: adopting Odin, my partially blind and fear-reactive rescue this past October was a major turning point for me. I’ve had dogs before, but this was my first time being the guardian of one that was reactive. He snaps at strangers. Other dogs send him into a panic. He will throw himself at a fence to try and get at whatever unfamiliar dog dared to bark and startle him. His anxiety around strangers and other dogs makes everyday activities, like vet visits and walks, a challenge to put it lightly. We’ve been working with a trainer since November, but I also decided (after speaking with my vet) that it’d be worth spending the money on a veterinary behaviorist.
That was tough though – after switching Odin from Banfield (following a bad experience) to a certified fear-free clinic, our new vet recommended three board-certified DVM/DACVB veterinary behaviorists in Florida. All of them were far away, because of course they were, and I started making calls. It seems crazy to me that someone can be booked out for 6 months, even a year, but with 3 in the whole state I guess I just underestimated demand. That being said, we got so lucky in finding an opening with one such DVM/DACVB in the Tampa area, which is just a two-hour drive away for us. She specialized in positive training methods and had some good reviews, so even though my wallet was wincing, we made the appointment.
… which this past Thursday!
I was nervous leading up to the appointment. We’re finally at the point where Odin likes his new vet after about a month’s worth of victory visits and a crazy amount of peanut butter, but this was a new doctor in a new place. We met in a neutral fenced in play field, and she entirely ignored Odin while we talked (even though he was entirely fixated, pulling on his lead, trying to get towards her), allowing him to assess her on his terms without pressure. It was the same when we went inside, just… totally ignoring him, which is exactly what he needs. We went over his medical history. We talked about his shelter history and possible causes for his eye damage, reviewed videos I had taken… etc etc…
We talked a lot about diet and nutrition, more than I expected actually. My dog is already on Reconcile, but I didn’t know just how many options were actually out there. We talked about the benefits of different supplements that I could try to add, as well as new prescriptions, and all the while… Odin was decompressing. With his muzzle on, he was now sniffing her and checking her out calmly. Begging for a treat once he realized she had some.
After the first cookie, he was a goner, lol. Full on cuddle, trying to be in her lap, belly rub, the works. I have literally never seen this dog act this way with a vet!
While we’re still working on our triggers, I’ve got to say it feels so good to have a plan now, and a but more robust support. We’re trying out some supplements like N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and CBD oil, along with a continuation of fluoxetine (Reconcile), and a new drug for vet visits (one that I rub on his gums) called Sileo. She also sent instructions on teaching Odin a breathing behavior to help him relax – though I’m going to have to teach him how to do it first (wish me luck). There some interesting research about NAC, which I had never heard of before, and the Gut-Brain Axis when it comes to anxiety so I am hopeful about that as well.
From what was explained to me, and I am paraphrasing... NAC is a supplement with many uses, but it's most commonly used as a treatment for toxicity in animals (like when they ingest something with xylitol). Our behaviorist explained that in the brain, there is evidence that this supplement helps to regulate glutamate production so it is not present in high amounts. Turns out that in high amounts, it can be neurotoxic and its been correlated to a few psychiatric disorders and loss of emotional regulation, so this supplement will (hopefully) keep it from being in an excessive amount in his brain.
Of course, discuss with your own vet before you try anything new, though. We are trying these supplements under direct DVM supervision and at levels/doses that are appropriate for my dog. I left dosing info out on purpose because I don't think this is something that people should be DIYing without speaking to a vet first.
Anyway, I know this is pretty long and rambly, but I am so so so so happy that we did this. I learned so much. I was very much on the fence about shelling out the cash for this kind of thing, but I am so glad that I did and I really feel like I have a framework that I can use and will work!!
