HOW LONG DOES DOG PROZAC TAKE TO WORK?
It takes 6-8 weeks for Prozac to take full effect, although it can start working after just a few days. It is not like some drugs that start working at full effect right away. As a dog owner, youll know that Prozac is working based on whether your pets unwanted behavior is improving or not.
Unfortunately, Prozac (like most drugs) can cause side effects in dogs. Watch your pet for any unusual signs of negative side effects in their behavior, especially for the first week. Here are some of the most common side effects to look for: Not Eating: Loss of appetite is one of the more common side effects of Prozac in dogs. If your dog suddenly doesn’t want their food after starting Prozac, discuss this with your veterinarian. Prozac Made My Dog Worse: Prozac can cause or worsen aggression and anxiety. It corrects a specific type of serotonin imbalance in the canine brain, and if this imbalance is not the problem, it causes a serotonin imbalance. Upset Stomach: Many drugs cause upset stomach in people and in dogs. Prozac is no exception. Giving it with food can help this problem.
Its important to wean a dog off Prozac. Suddenly stopping Prozac dosing can cause withdrawal in dogs, leading to a rebound of unacceptable behavior that Prozac treated previously. A veterinarian can guide you in doing this safely with your dog. Withdrawal from Prozac leads to relapse and rebound behaviors in humans and dogs if its done too quickly. Called “withdrawal,” a previously aggressive dog treated successfully with Prozac may become even more aggressive if the drug is withdrawn too fast. Work with your veterinarian to taper or wean the dog off Prozac gradually.
Training: Many of the reasons Prozac is used in dogs can be corrected by training and owner behavior modification. For example, many owners can mistakenly encourage anxious behavior by telling their pet “good boy” or “it’s okay” when they’re showing anxiety or a phobia about going to the vet or loud noises. This encouraging behavior may even cause the dog to feel anxious or afraid when they hear that phrase. Talk to a veterinarian about how you can behave around, treat, and train your dog to be less anxious. Exercise: Both humans and dogs can feel anxiety, worry, and stress when they do not get enough exercise. This author cares for an Australian Shepherd that is an absolute terror indoors, showing signs of aggression and phobia – unless he’s been able to run a few miles that day, in which case he lies down and snuggles with everyone. Some humans choose to life weights intensely primarily to help them sleep, one of the immediate effects of intense exercise. If your dog is an active breed, getting them enough exercise can be tough. Herding dogs and dogs bred for running may need to run for half an hour or more to meet their exercise needs, and without this, they will continue to display undesirable behavior. Correct Underlying Causes: Underlying issues can cause some aggressions and anxieties, such as age-related cognitive decline. Drugs like selegiline can help correct cognitive decline and, in so, help reduce the anxiety or aggression it causes. A qualified veterinarian can only make these diagnoses – but if you have noticed that your pets anxiety or aggression started as they aged and worsened with age, its a great idea to bring this up with your veterinarian. Other Medications: There are other SSRIs like Prozac that are used in dogs, including Celexa or citalopram, Paxil or paroxetine, and Zoloft or sertraline. They have many of the same pros and cons as Prozac, but some individual dogs may respond better to one or another or be less likely to experience negative side effects. CBD: Cannabidiol, or CBD, has been reported individually by many owners (including some vets!) to help with anxiety, aggression, and other issues Prozac also treats. Unlike Prozac, it has not been reported to have as many or as severe side effects at the usual dosing – especially when using a high-quality, lab-verified CBD oil that does not contain THC. THC can be toxic to dogs even at low doses. CBD is a good option to discuss with your veterinarian in looking at options, especially if Prozac or other prescription medications cause intolerable side effects or are too expensive. References
Im Chris; I started Relievet to help my dog Biscuit deal with her mobility issues naturally. Relievet is a family-owned business composed of a team of passionate pet parents that includes a Doctor of Pharmacy, a dog trainer, a writer, a psychologist, and more. We make natural products that help dogs maintain balance and deal with the issues they face, and we do our best to educate people on natural pet health. Beyond that, we are conducting research in hopes of improving the lives of many more animals.
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What are the pros of Prozac for dogs?
Dog owners can see a number of benefits when their pooch is diagnosed and prescribed the drug.
Prozac can help:
For the unfamiliar, Dodman explains that OCD behaviors are bizarre, repetitive behaviors that appear to serve no useful function. “The most famous is so-called acral lick, in which mostly large-breed dogs lick repetitively at the wrists or hocks to the point of causing soreness, ulceration and a tissue reaction called granuloma,” Dodman says. “Other canine compulsive disorders include light or shadow-chasing, tail-chasing, rock-chewing, compulsive digging and even compulsive swimming. And there are others. They are all species-typical behaviors that are performed excessively and out of context.”
Pets on Prozac: Dogs Take Meds for Anxiety
1Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy; [email protected] (R.O.); [email protected] (D.R.); [email protected] (G.G.); [email protected] (G.C.); [email protected] (C.B.); [email protected] (A.D.)Find articles by
1Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy; [email protected] (R.O.); [email protected] (D.R.); [email protected] (G.G.); [email protected] (G.C.); [email protected] (C.B.); [email protected] (A.D.)Find articles by
1Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy; [email protected] (R.O.); [email protected] (D.R.); [email protected] (G.G.); [email protected] (G.C.); [email protected] (C.B.); [email protected] (A.D.)Find articles by
1Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy; [email protected] (R.O.); [email protected] (D.R.); [email protected] (G.G.); [email protected] (G.C.); [email protected] (C.B.); [email protected] (A.D.)Find articles by
1Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy; [email protected] (R.O.); [email protected] (D.R.); [email protected] (G.G.); [email protected] (G.C.); [email protected] (C.B.); [email protected] (A.D.)Find articles by
2Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; [email protected] (V.M.); [email protected] (L.I.)Find articles by
2Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; [email protected] (V.M.); [email protected] (L.I.)Find articles by
1Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy; [email protected] (R.O.); [email protected] (D.R.); [email protected] (G.G.); [email protected] (G.C.); [email protected] (C.B.); [email protected] (A.D.)Find articles by
1Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy; [email protected] (R.O.); [email protected] (D.R.); [email protected] (G.G.); [email protected] (G.C.); [email protected] (C.B.); [email protected] (A.D.)Find articles by
Despite dog aggression representing a frequent and serious threat to public health, currently there are no licensed drugs for treating dog aggression. Treatment approaches include behavior management programs and empiric administration of fluoxetine for extended periods. The drug is used at 1–2 mg/kg of body weight every 24 h according to the clinician’s prescription. Studies concerning long-term dosage schedules and the effects of fluoxetine on clinical and blood parameters have not been undertaken in veterinary medicine. In the present study, fluoxetine (1.5 mg/kg/die PO) combined with a behavior modification program were used for treatment in eight dogs with a diagnosis of dominance-related aggression. Clinical outcomes for fluoxetine, norfluoxetine, and serotonin circulating levels were periodically evaluated over a six-month period. After one month of treatment, significant clinical improvement was observed, although dogs were classified as fully responsive starting from T2 (two months of treatment). At the end of the follow-up (six months of treatment), a correlation between norfluoxetine levels and clinical scores (r = 0.75, p < 0.05) was observed. Blood serotonin levels were significantly decreased. The results suggest that the dosage schedule is useful in the management of dominance aggression in dogs and that norfluoxetine levels seem reliable in predicting clinical efficacy.
Canine aggression is a major concern, affecting millions of people worldwide, and treatment can be challenging even for skilled veterinarians. Empiric use of fluoxetine is sometimes attempted, although few data regarding long-term effects in aggressive dogs are available. The aim of the study was to investigate clinical effectiveness of fluoxetine (1.5 mg/kg/die PO) combined with a behavior modification program for treatment of canine dominance-related aggression. Circulating levels of fluoxetine, norfluoxetine, and serotonin (5-HT) were also measured. Eight dogs with a diagnosis of dominance aggression (owner-directed) were enrolled. Before treatment (T0), and after one (T1), two (T2), four (T3), and six (T4) months of fluoxetine administration, clinical outcomes were graded using a five-point frequency scale (0–4), and blood samples were collected to measure fluoxetine/norfluoxetine (high-performance liquid chromatography) and 5-HT (ELISA) levels. Following treatment, a decrease in behavioral test scores was observed at T1–T4. Increasing concentrations of circulating fluoxetine and norfluoxetine were measured throughout the follow-up. Correlation between norfluoxetine levels and clinical scores was observed at T4. Starting from T1, a significant decrease in 5-HT levels was observed. Our data suggest that fluoxetine (1.5 mg/kg/day) when associated with behavior treatment is effective in controlling canine aggression over a six-month period, and that, in dogs norfluoxetine levels seem reliable in predicting clinical efficacy.
Canine aggression toward people is one of the most common behavioral problems seen at animal behavior clinics. According to Polo et al. [1] dog bites affect 1.5% of the US population annually, whereas Belgium has an annual frequency of 22 bites per 1000 children, and about 136,000 dog bite incidents occur annually in the Netherlands. The consequence for dogs of showing aggression towards people is often euthanasia or relinquishment. However, when owners choose to attempt treatment, the typical therapeutic approach involves appropriate behavior modification exercises coupled with an adjunctive pharmacologic support where indicated. Identifying the motivation of the aggression is the first step in determining how to treat the dog. Dominance aggression, although rare, is an offensive form of aggression seen during competitive interactions over the control of resources and/or in response to a perception of challenge to the animal’s social status. It usually develops at social maturity (18–24 months of age) [2]. The goal of treatment is to modify the dog’s behavior and to manage their environment to prevent aggressive threats. In some cases, drug therapy is a helpful adjunctive therapy for this kind of behavioral problem [3]. However, although dog aggression toward owners represents a frequent and serious threat to public health, currently there are no licensed drugs for treating aggression.
Empiric treatment is primarily focused on serotonin (5-HT). Several studies in humans and laboratory animals have, in fact, documented that the 5-HT system is associated with behavioral inhibition [4]. In dogs, lower levels of the 5-HT metabolite 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) have been observed in the cerebrospinal fluid of dominant, aggressive subjects than in nonaggressive ones, as well as modifications in serum 5-HT levels [5,6]. Moreover, it has been suggested that modifications of 5-HT receptor densities and of the function in various brain regions of aggressive dogs do occur [7]. These observations have led to the therapeutic use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) with the aim to manipulate 5-HT concentrations in the synaptic cleft of aggressive dogs [8]. Among SSRIs, fluoxetine, approved for use in dogs for separation anxiety (Reconcile®, Eli Lilly, Indianapolis, Indiana), is the drug with the longest history of use for behavior problems in dogs, including aggression. In such cases, the drug is used at 1–2 mg/kg of body weight every 24 h, according to the clinician’s prescription [9]. Similarly to all other SSRIs, fluoxetine requires continuous prolonged administration to produce therapeutic changes. Few data regarding fluoxetine’s effects in aggressive dogs are available. In a study by Dodman and colleagues [10], the drug induced a significant reduction in owner-directed aggression after 3 weeks of treatment at 1 mg/kg. Moreover, according to Rosado et al. [11], a 30-day fluoxetine treatment causes a decrease in peripheral 5-HT concentration, whereas circulating cortisol levels were unaffected. Therefore, further scientific support is needed to facilitate clinicians in the diagnostic iter and in the choice of the appropriate treatment protocol. Key issues in performing this kind of study are the definition of inclusion criteria and the classification of aggression. The aim of the present study was to assess the behavioral effects of a six-month-long treatment in dogs affected by dominance aggression directed towards owners. Moreover, at different experimental time points during the clinical follow-up, blood fluoxetine, its principal active metabolite norfluoxetine, and 5-HT levels were measured in order to correlate the clinical findings with pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic effects.
On the basis of inclusion criteria, out of more than 108 dogs referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Turin for episodes of aggression towards owners for at least 2 months and not more than 4, 8 dogs were included in the study. The group (7 males and 1 females) consisted of dogs of different breeds: German Shepherd (1), Cocker Spaniel (1), Jack Russell (1), Boxer (1), and mixed breed (4). The mean age was 3.6 years (ranging from 1.2 to 6 years). The dogs showed no clinical signs but aggression and had received no pharmacological treatment. At the time of enrollment, the presence of any concurrent medical condition contributing to aggression was excluded by means of physical and neurological examination carried out by a board-certified neurologist and by serum biochemistry, complete blood count, and thyroid hormone levels (TSH andtotal thyroxine). Among inclusion criteria, there was the possibility to manage dogs without using sedation.
The diagnosis of dominance-related aggression (owner-directed) was made by a behaviorist expert on the basis of anamnesis and clinical evaluation. The behavioral case history was collected by a questionnaire filled out directly by the owner, who was asked to describe a series of situations (e.g., food-related aggression; disturbed while resting; physical contact; postural or behavioral provocation by the victim) in which the dog displayed aggressive behavior [10]. Clinical diagnosis of aggression was established on a five-point frequency scale (0–4; higher score indicates more severe disease) for three different items concerning: (a) frequency of aggression episodes (F), (b) aggression intensity (I), (c) distance from the aggressive reaction to when the stimulus did not appear (D) ( ). The distance was defined according to the concept of the proxemic bubble, personal space surrounding the body that defines a sort of protective bubble: intimate (from 0 to about 0.5 m), personal (0.5 to 1.2 m), social (1.2 to 3 m), and public (greater than 3 m).
A score ranging from 0 to 12 was assigned to each dog at the time of enrollment and at each further experimental time point. Dogs were considered for treatment if their clinical score was ≥8 at time of enrollment (T0).
During the follow-up, animals having a score ≤3 were considered to be fully responders to the therapy.