Does your dog suffer from separation anxiety? If so, it can be really hard for you to leave the house, even for a quick errand, as one look from your distressed pup can make your heart melt. Thankfully, there are several steps you can take to help ease and treat your dog’s anxiety.
Here’s everything you need to know about Prozac for dogs:
What Is Prozac?
Prozac is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is often used in people to treat a wide range of anxiety disorders. Over the past several years, it has been used more and more on companion animals to alleviate their anxiety and decrease their destructive anxiety-related behaviors. The psychotropic medication can change your dog’s brain action by manipulating his neurotransmitters in a particular way.
It’s important to remember that medication can help with behavior problems that have been medically diagnosed, says Dr. Denise Petryk, an associate veterinarian at Olympia Pet Emergency in Olympia, Washington. “Prozac for dogs is not for problem behaviors — those things your dog does that bug you.”
How Does Prozac Work?
Prozac works by decreasing your dog’s metabolism of serotonin. This process allows the neurotransmitter to linger in your dog’s brain, which ultimately increases his feelings of happiness and thereby combats his anxiety and depression. “It’s currently used to treat separation anxiety, self-mutilation, urine marking, compulsive behaviors and certain forms of aggression in pets,” says Dr. Allyson Corr, a veterinarian at Helping Hands in Richmond, Virginia. Prozac can also help to ease your pet’s anxiety concerning specific sights and sounds, such as fireworks and thunder.
While this medication can be used to treat a variety of behavior problems, it is most commonly prescribed for dogs with separation anxiety. If your dog suffers from this condition, it is important that you seek help. “Dogs with separation anxiety can suffer from significantly decreased quality of life due to severe stress,” says Dr. Corr, “in addition to causing physical harm to themselves and their surroundings.”
What Should You Be Aware of When Introducing Your Dog to Prozac?
“There are many factors that need to be considered before reaching for a pill,” says Dr. Petryk. As such, she stresses that medications for behavior problems are unfortunately not a one-stop solution. “It is important to be aware that this medication may take several weeks to take full effect, and that drug therapy alone is not sufficient to control anxiety in the majority of cases without the addition of a strict behavioral modification program that may include training, desensitization or other methods appropriate for the particular pet,” adds Dr. Corr.
According to Dr. Petryk, an important part of using a drug like Prozac is building a relationship with a veterinarian that you trust, who knows both you and your dog. “You should also have routine testing done to be sure your dog does not have another diagnosis or health issue.” Dr. Petryk recommends that you talk to your vet about the benefits of different types of training and behavior modification techniques so that you can have a full understanding of all of the options available to you and your dog.
“You may also want to consider seeing a behavior specialist,” she adds. Before starting your dog on Prozac, it’s important that you and your vet make sure that your furry friend is not currently on any medications that might have a bad reaction to the introduction of this new pill.
What Are the Side Effects of Prozac?
According to Dr. Petryk, there are many common side effects of Prozac for dogs. These side effects include damage to the liver, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, itch, rash, dermatitis, lethargy, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, hyperactivity, panting, aggressive behavior in previously unaggressive dogs and seizures. “In addition, when used in aggressive dogs, Prozac may actually have the potential to increase aggression in certain instances, so it must be used with caution,” says Dr. Corr.
Stephanie Glover is the writer and photographer behind A Grande Life. When she doesn’t have her camera in her hands, you’ll find her with a cup of coffee.
*This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be providing medical advice and is not a substitute for such advice. The reader should always consult a health care provider concerning any medical condition or treatment plan. Neither Care.com nor the author assumes any responsibility or liability with respect to use of any information contained herein.