Entirely Pets

Fluoxetine is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. It is used to treat behavior problems including obsessive compulsive behavior such as constant licking in dogs and cats, and feather picking in birds. It is also used to treat aggression.

It may take 1-4 weeks before you see an effect. It may cause aggression in some previously unaggressive animals. Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences stomach upset, tiredness, anxiety, restlessness, panting, irritability, jaundice (yellowing of the gums, skin, or whites of the eyes), vomiting, or a persistent lack of appetite while being treated with fluoxetine.

Prozac is now given to zoo animals and pets suffering from problems including obsessive-compulsive disorders, aggression, and separation anxiety. Some patients are weaned off the drug in a few months, while others stay on it for the rest of their lives.

It’s not known how many animals are currently on antidepressants. According to marketing research firm Ipsos, animal-lovers in the U.S. spend 15 million dollars (U.S.) on a variety of medications for behavior management in dogs and cats.

According to Nicholas Dodman, an animal behaviorist at Tufts University in North Grafton, Massachusetts, Prozac is inexpensive, it’s highly effectiveand it’s unbelievably safe. There has never been an animal death ever reported on it. Possible side effects include sluggishness, lack of appetite, and anxiety.

In addition to using the drug, Dodman recommends teaching wayward pets behavior modification. Prozac doesn’t impair learning or memory, so pet owners can teach the animals a new way [of behaving] during this window of opportunity.

Steve Marsden, a veterinarian and naturopathic physician, is an advisory board member for the Veterinary Institute of Integrative Medicine in Arvada, Colorado, says antidepressants should only be used as a last resort for animals. He believes a simple change in diet can help with problems such as separation anxiety, fear-related aggression, and dominance-related aggression.

He also says that, the ideal diet that seems to be a unifying theme in managing most cases, regardless of diagnosis, seems to be an increase in protein and/or fat, and a decrease in carbohydrate content of the diet.

But no studies have proven that a change in diet works for animal behavioral problems, he said. The belief is based purely on anecdotal experience.

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