Treatment for anxiety during fireworks season

My Vet has suggested a combination of phenobarbitone and propanolol for Harry to take starting today as a
nearby Pub has 2 firework displays on Saturday night.

Harry is terrified of fireworks and other loud noises and unlike my other dogs who used to shake and tremble
and hide away (often under the bed), he wants to almost climb the walls. To see him like this distresses me
beyond belief, but the idea of these drugs worry me too.

I'm between a rock and a hard place because I don't want to see him suffer and on the other hand I don't
want to give him horrible drugs with their associated side effects.

On another site some people were talking about giving melatonin to their dogs. Anybody had any experience
of any of these treatments please as the usual things like thunder shirts, and dap collars just don't help?

I am sorry but it isn't something I no anything about.

Darcy was ok last year so fingers crossed she's ok this year. I can't help re the medication sorry, hopefully someone will be along shortly who can help.

Thanks anyway Janey. Obviously I'm prejudiced, but I feel its wrong to have to give my boy strong drugs for up
to 2 weeks because of all these fireworks. The local Pub is having one display for children at 5 o'clock which will
start Harry off, and then it will start all over again at 8pm for the adult display. By which time he will be a right
state.  

Wish there was something for dogs the equivalent of a few stiff drinks that I could give him just beforehand.
Not such a bad idea for me though  

I know how you feel, I took Moo off her meds for the arthritis as I didn't want to give her chemicals I hope it is not too stressful Xx

Are you able to take Harry out anywhere away from all the noise, I know this is so much easier when you have a car and can just jump in and bugger off for a few hours, not everyone is able to though.

I thought of that Kathy and phoned the Pub earlier, they said the 5pm children's display would take about half an hour.
The adult one would start about 8pm and last for half an hour but to be on the safe side they suggested I stayed
out until 9.30pm.

What worries me is that Saturday is probably going to have firework displays everywhere and Harry would be
able to see out of the car windows. I harness him on the back seat and if he sees fireworks and hears the bangs
he would stress out and I wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

Wish I could find a way to avoid it.

Poor Harry it's really awful do you no anyone who don't really hear many fireworks at there house? A friend or relative you could visit? You could leave before it's dark.

Poor Harry these fireworks really are a menace to our dogs, I hope he will be ok and you can sort something out. xx