Charlie almost demented last night - fireworks

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Obviously 

That sounds a vast improvement and hope you are being covered by rain clouds now ready to unload tonight 

[Maddiesmum]

Well unfortunately there were fireworks last night though not as bad as Wed.  He slept through three big bangs and played through another one.  The rest were mostly in the distance but after quite a long time he got edgy so took him upstairs to bed with me and had a game in the bedroom then he settled down all night until I woke him at 4 when I went to the loo.  Obviously we had to have another game !!!

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

I hope it's quieter tonight and that the rain spoils everyone's fireworks.  It's horrible how so many animals are scared stiff by the wretched things and we can't do anything about it.

[Janeyk]

Hope Charlie has had a more peaceful night

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Thats so sad  cos he soent understand what he is missing, a bit like Sasa.  Do hope things are quieter tonight and he is a bit calmer.

[Leanne]

What's strange in our house is that Jess being the nervous scardy cat, isn't fazed at all by the fireworks. He actually sits in the window watching them

Milo however gets really scared, he wouldn't venture into the kitchen last night for dinner as there were a few bangs. He just comes to us and wants to be cuddled. I think with Milo this time last year he was a stray and I wonder whether he has had an encounter with fireworks before.

[Dawn F]

Oscar is the same, its like you are trying to skin him alive

[Maddiesmum]

Sad things is Gill the last thing Charlie wants is a cuddle.  He is very aggressive towards me when he gets like this and if I try to stroke him he bites!  He is not the most loving of cats at the best of times but when he is stressed it is as if he hates me.  I know he doesn't really and I am just a target for his feelings.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Poor Charlie, I am so sorry he is really scared and hope that the meds will help him. I love Charlie and it breaks my hear to hear that he is like this................maybe lots of cuddles and strokes and special food, a loud Tv and just being close to you may help him a bit.

Sounds like he has had an encounter with firewiorks in the past 

[Dawn F]

Oscar and Star were very scared last night both hid behind the sofa which is unheard of - Tilly and Amber where stretched out on the bed asleep - its amazing how different they can be but its definitely a personality thing for ours Tilly and Amber are very confident

[CarolM (Wendolene)]

So sorry that Charlie and you had such a bad night.  Lets hope the Xanax works.  As Swampmaxmum says its from the same family as valium and  its used not just for general anxiety problems but also for panic attacks.  Interestingly, it has had considerable success in short term use (in humans) for tinnitus.  You never know, with Charlie's ear problems he could have something like tinnitus.  I have everything crossed that it works.

[Janeyk]

more in older cats but I think any age although rarer (it is for humans anyway) I'd just mention it to the vet to rule it out.
Saying that if he was a stray and no idea of his background that could be a factor, my sister took in a stray and he was terrified of fireworks.

[Maddiesmum]

I don't think it has but isn't this a problem that affects older cats?  He is only 21 months.  As I got him as a stray I have no idea of his history/background but he def can't cope with anxiety and stress and has some behavioural problems.

[Janeyk]

poor boy, I'm sure his thyroid will have been checked?

[Maddiesmum]

He is generally an anxious and highly strung cat so was previously prescribed Zylkene to help with this.  However the fireworks drove him OTT last night

[Janeyk]

Crikey poor Charlie, is it just the fireworks causing this then and why he's taking the meds?

[Leanne]

Poor Charlie boy.

I don't know anything about Xanax but I hope it works for him.

[swampmaxmum]

Xanax is a benzo like valium, but shorter acting, and should calm him down I think. I'd ask the vet for side effects to look out for, because (NOT trying to make you more anxious) I think the benzo drugs can provoke an allergic reaction in a very few cats, so prob best to start him on a very small dose? Having said that, mine have taken it and valium when necessary with no ill effects except grogginess and increased appetite afterwards.
I think that the herbal alternatives like valerian and scullcap are probably not strong enough (?) if the fireworks are really near you. I'm so sorry, what a pain in the  this time of year is. 
cuddles to Charlie xxx hope it pours with rain tonight.

[Maddiesmum]

I wasn't sure how he would react it being our first Bonfire Night.  His stress built up throughout the night until he was literally running like a wild demented thing, eyes all wide etc.  He was almost bouncing off the walls.  I did all the recommended things to keep the situation calm.

The Zylkene is having no effect on him at the moment so spoke to the vet this morning and explained last night plus the fact that this will go on for at least several more nights (hopefully no longer).  Vet is prescribing Xanax which I have to collect later plus have to see the vet (Charlie doesn't have to go as he was seen about 3 weeks ago for his ear check). 

Has anyone had any experience of this medication.  I am really loathe to dose him up but don't want him to have to sustain these stress levels over the period.