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Research shows that canines and felines suffer from psychiatric problems, just as humans do, and can be treated by similar types of drugs.
No longer is a pet that shows evidence of compulsive disorders such aggression, phobia or separation anxiety, considered only a behavior problem. Instead of being handled with only conduct modification, today there are a variety of medications being prescribed for pets that have successfully been used on humans. Even the dog that has memory problems, such as forgetting where the feeding bowl or doggy door is located, can be treated with Anipryl, a drug developed by Eli Lilly, to treat cognitive dysfunction. As pharmaceutical companies began experimenting with medications designed to treat humans on animals, more “lifestyle” drugs are being developed to accommodate animals that seem to have the same psychiatric problems as people. The aim is to use behavior-modifying drugs to have happier pets and more obedient household animals. However, not all veterinarians agree with the humanization of pets and treating them with drugs, instead using a time-honored stimulus-response conditioning. They maintain that compulsive or anxious animals need on to be better trained. Dr. Ian Dunbar of Sirius Dog Training, while acknowledging that pharmacological aids are helpful in extreme circumstance, believe that in most cases, behavior modification such as ignoring the unwanted ones and rewarding the wanted ones will work. Separation AnxietyBecause domesticated animals, especially dogs, have extreme attachment to their owners, they seem to suffer when separated. Behavior may include home and self-destruction, prolonged whining, barking, drooling or standing by the door all day and panting. Among the drugs being used to treat the anxiety is one chemically identical to clomimpramine, and tricyclic antidepressants used in human psychiatric care which seems to having a calming effect. It is called Clomicalm and is just for dogs, treating the separation anxiety which often occurs when a pet is left at home alone all day. Another drug, Reconcile is also being used with behavior modification. Conflict AggressionEach year it is estimated that three to four million animals are euthanized in shelters because of aggression and an equal number are put down at clinics. However, now there is evidence that cats and dogs can suffer from a form of schizophrenia and have auditory and visual hallucinations. The use of Prozac, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (S.S. R.I) seems to reduce impulsivity, stabilize moods and lower anxiety that brings on aggressive behavior. Pros and Cons of Psychoactive DrugsPharmacologicals appear be helpful to pets with deviant behavior as in the case of humans according to the continuing studies have been conducted to learn more about whether these animals have the same type of emotional experiences such anxiety, obsession and depressions as humans. It has been found that the limbic system, critical for human responses is structurally similar in all mammals. However, some veterinarians believe that pet behavior modification should be tried first and if not successful, may be combined with the drugs, although there are some short-term drawbacks such as lethargy, depression and loss of appetite. Source: Dr. Nicolas Dodman, Tufts University Behavior Clinic Bibliography: Dodman, Nicolas, The Cat Who Cried for Help: Attitudes, Emotions, and the Psychology of Cats. NY Bantam, 1999 Dodman, Nicolas, The Well-Adjusted Dog: Dr. Dodman’s Seven Steps to Lifelong Happiness for Your Best Friend. Houghton-Mifflin, 2008 Page, George, Inside the Animal Mind: A Groundbreaking Exploration of Animal Intelligence. NY. Broadway, 2001.
The copyright of the article Pet Paranoia in Pet Care is owned by Martha R. Gore. Permission to republish Pet Paranoia in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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