Any luck with medication?
- Thread starter Toby
- Start date
Caro
Moderator
I know a couple of people with dogs on anxiety medication (not shelties tho) and have had great success. Both are on fluoxetine, there's probably more that I don't know about but I imagine a lot of people are too embarrassed to admit their dogs are on meds - much like humans.
My cousin's cat is on fluoxetine (Prozac). I do not understand why the are on medicines for depression. Anxiety would be used with a mild sedative like Xanax or Klonopin.
Thank you.
Caro
Moderator
Fluoxetine is an anti-anxiety medication for dogs and in humans is also used for depression. Reconcile is the vet version. The dogs I know that are on it are so much calmer since being on it. One Schnauzer I know used to run at and bark at every person he met, he now goes up to people for pats, the change has been that immense. Another friend has a Goldie who went from aggressive to playful. In both instances they underwent a behaviour modification program in conjunction with the Reconcile to retrain their reactions.
I know some people here use Lactium - they can probably give you more info on that.
I know some people here use Lactium - they can probably give you more info on that.
I did not know about Reconcile. Thank you.
take4roll10
Moderator
My dog has been on multiple over the counter and prescription medication including fluoxetine and reconcile. Fluoxetine actually made my dog more aggressive. Reconcile didn't help. Neither did generic Paxil. Generic Zoloft is helping a little. Also trying a mood stabilizer now, which I see no change. None of the medication even helped with her light and shadow chasing. We tried one medicine that slowed down the heart rate to calm her. That actually helped, but it made her so drugged up that I had to drag her just to walk her. It wasn't worth it and I didn't wan such a drugged up dog.
I had the most success with Lactium and L'theinine, which you can get at health food stores.
In addition to medication I hired a trainer. Training has helped a little. If you are at your wits end and have tried training and natural medication, then you can always seek a veterinary behaviorist to see if your dog will benefit from medication.
The last step we are going to try is to send some of my dog's fur out to test for toxic metals and minerals or a deficiency. If there is something going on with metals and minerals in her system then that can be preventing the medication from working.
I'm giving the mood stabilizer one more week. At this point, We've tried almost everything with my dog and nothing has really helped. So in our case, it's just the way my dog is and there really isn't anything more i can do.
I had the most success with Lactium and L'theinine, which you can get at health food stores.
In addition to medication I hired a trainer. Training has helped a little. If you are at your wits end and have tried training and natural medication, then you can always seek a veterinary behaviorist to see if your dog will benefit from medication.
The last step we are going to try is to send some of my dog's fur out to test for toxic metals and minerals or a deficiency. If there is something going on with metals and minerals in her system then that can be preventing the medication from working.
I'm giving the mood stabilizer one more week. At this point, We've tried almost everything with my dog and nothing has really helped. So in our case, it's just the way my dog is and there really isn't anything more i can do.
Thank you so much for your insight. It is a lot of great information. My wife and I will have to figure out the best route to take.
What sort of behavior changes have you tried ? How old is Toby ?Is he crated for long periods of time ? Plenty of time to blow off steam and lots of positive reinforcements ? Redirecting when barking and not letting the barking go "over the top ? And, yes, I have seen over the top !!!
Noah ( Toby was our last love, not that we do not love Noah as much and do not the heart to take him down or change my username yet ) is not crated at all he is about four years old usually goes for a walk ever day but I know he needs more to blow off some steam. Usually tell him no when his barking gets out of hand.
We had a large sheltie named Maggie that we rescued. She had a severe thunder phobia where she would "chase" the noise as if to get it & save us from it. Gunshots were also another problem. We live in Louisiana in the country so thunder & gunshots (hunters) happen from time to time. We tried herbal remedies, shirting her, crating, music while the noise was going on & had little luck. We finally tried 7 different meds with no luck. We tried Ace, Xanex, Valium, Prozac, Reconcile, Clomicalm & even phenobarb. The Clomicalm made her more "aggressive" but at no time was she people or animal aggressive. She just chased the noise. We did finally get a routine where if a storm or fireworks situation was coming we'd keep repeating "calm, calm" & her name then say "go to your quiet place (crate) & she would run for it.
I know your case isn't nearly as severe so maybe one of the meds might work. I have used melatonin for anxious dogs & it seems to relax them with no side effects. I have recommended it to several people & have had feedback from 2 that said their doberman & another terrier mix did wonderful during a hurricane after taking it.
Good luck!
I know your case isn't nearly as severe so maybe one of the meds might work. I have used melatonin for anxious dogs & it seems to relax them with no side effects. I have recommended it to several people & have had feedback from 2 that said their doberman & another terrier mix did wonderful during a hurricane after taking it.
Good luck!