It may seem that firework night is a long way off, but for owners of animals with severe noise phobias it is already time to be thinking about how best to help their pets this coming guy fawkes. Unless managed appropriately noise phobias tend to intensify over time. Whilst some pets anxieties are managed by some simple environmental modifications for others symptoms are more severe and medical management is often required. Dogs with extreme noise phobias can exhibit vocalisation, destructive behaviour and urination, to help alleviate the symptoms some drugs need to be started up to 8 weeks in advance- NOW! If you think you have a severely noise phobic dog please contact the surgery to discuss what treatment is available to meet your individual pets needs. Also look out for the next issue of the practice newsletter which will contain more information on noise phobias.