Question:
I'm wondering of there is a
medication I can give my dog to keep her from tearing up the house when
I'm gone. My neighbor says she barks incessantly when I'm gone,
too, and I think it annoys the neighbor. Can I use a tranquilizer
to calm her down?
Look at lots of
books
about animal behavior
here.
To
purchase hi resolution images from our inventory of over 8,000 taken
during actual veterinary practice, visit
VeterinaryMedicalImages.com
|
 |
|
Your local veterinarian is your
best source for answers to questions about your dog or cat's
unique health issues. |
|
Answer:
dog medications... anxiety...
behavior
modification
First, before any medications
are started, you should have your dog examined by your veterinarian.
Some things need to be ruled out... and in... before we treat for
what you seem to be describing as separation anxiety. One of
the best things you can do is video record what the dog is doing
while you are gone. Set the camera up, start recording from a
good vantage point, and leave as usual. You can show the video
of pertinent behaviors to your veterinarian.
Your veterinarian may suggest doing some blood and
urine tests prior to starting any medications. If a diagnosis
of separation anxiety is made and your veterinarian believes
behavior modifying medications are reasonable to use there are
several options from which to choose.
Several psychoactive medications that have been used in
dogs are Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Prozac, Zoloft. These
medications should never be used without a doctor-client-patient
relationship. In many cases of home destructiveness or
obsessive barking a resolution can be achieved via behavioral
counseling, changes in home environment, and intelligent
desensitizing to the stressful situation.
Non-medical behavior modification such as crate training (an
important topic), gradually increasing duration of alone time,
adopting a second pet, providing safe chew toys... should be done
before administering psychoactive medications or tranquilizers.
Administering medication by itself is not a
proper method for correcting behavioral issues.
Behavior modification under the guidance of a qualified trainer
or behaviorist is the key to solving separation anxiety issues.
Patience with the pet is required no matter how frustrating you may
be with the situation. The anxiety is not something your pet
enjoys and the "bad behavior" is the only way the pet knows
of to
deal with the stress of the situation. |
Doctor's Notes
Adopted Dogs...
Many adult dogs abandoned or surrendered to a shelter and need
adoption are there because of unresolved behavior issues. The
original owners may not have been successful at correcting such
issues as separation anxiety, excessive barking, fear biting,
aggression toward other animals, etc.
Articles for further reading:
Tips on how to control
separation anxiety:
From the
ASPCA website
From
The Iams Company website
From the
Humane Society of the United States
Scientific study about separation anxiety control
using
Clomipramine
Scientific study about separation anxiety control
using
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
|
