Phobias are Common in Dogs; Alpha-Stim Can Help

If you are a dog owner, you probably aren’t surprised that the two most common phobias in dogs are thunderstorms and fireworks. It makes sense that these loud noises would be upsetting because: our pets don’t understand where the deafening bangs are coming from, they don’t know how to make the scary sounds stop, and as a result they quickly become fearful, anxious, and distressed.

Once a dog has been frightened by thunder or fireworks, he tends not to forget. “A fearful dog can tell when the barometric pressure starts to shift well before the storm sets in,” says Dr. Ava Frick, Veterinary Medical Director for Electromedical Products International, Inc “If you live where fireworks are legal, the impact can persist for several weeks around July 4th .”

A sad looking pug

Dogs are easily distressed by loud noises such as thunder or fireworks

In other words, it’s not just the storm or the fireworks that are upsetting to our dogs – it’s the anticipation as well. Anxiety and fear can have a strong impact on the mental wellbeing of your pet.

Alpha-Stim® is an FDA cleared medical device proven to safely and effectively treat anxiety and stress in dogs and other animals. It employs a modality called cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES); using microcurrents of electricity, designed to restore balance to the brainwaves, the current delivered through two electrodes that clip painlessly onto your dog’s ears. Relief is long lasting and often immediate, and treatments last only 20 minutes.

“Whatever the phobia,” says Dr. Frick, “Alpha-Stim, applied with the earclips, can be beneficial – especially when started prior to the onset of a stressful event. The patented waveform helps to normalize the neuronal firing pattern across the brain. It raises serotonin and beta endorphins, the feel-good hormones, up to 200%, imparting a sense of calmness.”

Treatments are painless, with many animals visibly enjoying the relaxation that comes with a session. Additionally, anxiety medications can cause scary side effects in animals. Since Alpha-Stim is not a drug, there is no risk of these adverse effects.

Image of dog wearing Alpha-Stim Earclips

Alpha-Stim treatments are quick, easy, and calming.

Better still, results only improve over time. While anxiety medications often require increased dosages in order to maintain their effectiveness, Alpha-Stim’s results are cumulative – your dog will feel better and better without increasing treatment frequency or duration. This makes Alpha-Stim an ideal way to prevent storm- and fireworks-related anxiety in the first place.

When treated in advance, a week or two prior to fireworks, the cumulative effect of Alpha-Stim allows the dog to be less fearful,” Dr. Frick explains.

While you can’t control thunderstorms or fireworks, you can help ease your dog’s fears about them.

“Pop on Alpha-Stim CES for 20 minutes once or twice a day and take some time to sit with your dog. Pet, groom, chill together; it is an opportunity for a better today and tomorrow.”

About Alpha-Stim® For Animals

Alpha-Stim is an FDA cleared, handheld medical device that has been proven time and again to effectively treat acute, post traumatic, and chronic pain, as well as anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) is delivered through a patented waveform via two earclip electrodes to treat anxiety, insomnia, and depression. Microcurrent electrical therapy (MET) delivers pain relief directly to the source of an animal’s discomfort via two handheld Smart Probes.

The effectiveness of Alpha-Stim is backed by over 100 independent clinical research studies. It is the most popular medical device used at home in the treatment and elimination of pain, anxiety, and stress-related disorders in animals. Alpha-Stim is recommended and relied upon by Dr. Ava Frick, the leading authority in veterinary microcurrent therapy.

Alpha-Stim is easy to use at home or in clinic, and treatments last mere minutes. Relief is long lasting and often immediate, and results are cumulative – unlike with medications, your patients will require fewer and fewer treatments over time. Alpha-Stim is available by prescription in the United States and over-the-counter in other countries. To offer Alpha-Stim therapy at your veterinary practice, click here to buy now!