Separation anxiety and general anxiety in dogs can cause distress for pets and their guardians. If you suspect your dog has anxiety, or exhibits symptoms of anxiety such as destructiveness, urinating/defecating inside, vocalization and/or drooling when you are gone, your pet should see a veterinarian. There could be an underlying medical issue causing your pet's problems. If medical issues are ruled out and the veterinarian diagnoses your dog with anxiety there are several steps you can take to help your pet, including behavior modification, training, holistic therapies and prescription medications.
Certain breeds are more prone to anxiety disorders. These include Great Danes, German Shorthaired Pointers, German Shepherds, Bull Terriers, Jack Russell terriers, Dalmatians, Carin Terriers and Basset Hounds.
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Medications
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Using medication alone to treat your pet's anxiety will not solve your problems. Medications can go a long way but they must be used in combination with training and behavioral modification. Many drugs take several weeks to notice a change in your pet. Oftentimes, different combinations of medications and dosing levels must be tried before one that works for your pet is found.
Anti-anxiety medications are not designed to be given only when your dog is exhibiting symptoms but should be given every day and at the same time each day.
It's important to be patient with your dog and to not punish him for his behavior. He is not acting out because he is angry with you or because he wants to get even for some trespass he perceives on your part. His actions are because of anxiety and the more patient you are with him, the more quickly you will find an effective solution to the problem.
Clomipramine
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Clomipramine (ClomiCalm) is a common medication prescribed for dogs with anxiety disorders and dominance aggression. This drug is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorders such as tail chasing.
Possible side effects to clomipramine include retention of urine or difficulty passing urine, reduced intestinal motility, vomiting, diarrhea, sedation, increased eye pressure and heart rhythm disturbances. This medication shouldn't be given to dogs who have a seizure disorder or to nursing mothers, because it crosses into their milk.
Fluoxetine (Reconcile, Prozac)
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Fluoxetine is another commonly prescribed medication for dogs with anxiety disorders. The medication isn't approved for use in animals by the Food and Drug Administration, but is prescribed by veterinarians as an "extra-label" drug. The brand name Reconcile, containing fluoxetine, is labeled for dogs with separation anxiety.
Fluoxetine is an antidepressant classified as an SSRI. It too is often prescribed for obsessive-compulsive disorders, aggression and can be used to treat itchiness in pets who do not respond to other therapies.
Possible side effects include lethargy, panting, hyperactivity, shaking, restlessness, excessive vocalization, aggression, temporary lack of appetite and gastrointestinal upset.
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
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Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant and is used in people to treat anxiety and depression. The medication increases the levels of serotonin in the brain to help your dog's anxiety.
Amitriptyline is another drug that is not approved for use in animals by the Food and Drug Administration but is prescribed as an "extra-label" drug by veterinarians.
Side effects of Amitriptyline include sedation, dry mouth, increased water consumption, rapid heart rate and urine retention.
Alprazolam (Xanax)
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Alprazolam is an anti-anxiety medication that acts in a short amount of time. It is often prescribed to help your pet's anxiety issue until other drugs, such as Clomipramine or Fluoxetine, begin to work.
The medication is also prescribed for dogs in cases of phobias--such as dogs who become overly fearful of thunderstorms, fireworks and veterinary visits. It is also sometimes used as a muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant and appetite stimulant.
Alprazolam is a mild tranquilizer and is considered to be a controlled substance. The medication shouldn't be given to dogs who have muscular weakness or glaucoma, and should be used with caution in animals with liver disease.
Common side effects are excessive sedation and loss of motor control. In some cases the medication causes animals to become more excited or more aggressive.
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