Ok, time for a controversial subject. Prozac and dogs. Turn back now if you don't want to know...
So as is noticeable, I am still having quite the time adjusting to the new schedule. When I'm home, I'm trying so hard to catch up that I don't have time to get to the computer and when I'm on the road I work so hard I don't have time to get to the computer. BUT I am slowly figuring it all out.
Baily, on the other hand, is not. She has always been a bit high strung. She came to us at 7 weeks old (her entire litter was dumped out) and her foster parents told us she was so cuddly she was never not being held. Uh oh. She spent her first three months going to work with me everyday. She slept under my desk, or in a chair if I was in a meeting. After I got a job where I didn't get to take my pup, she went to doggy daycare. Spoiled, no?
Then we moved to Cali. In NorCal, I worked days while the hubs went to class and the pups were rarely home alone. Same thing once we moved to SoCal. But then I started traveling. Yes, my hubs is almost always home (he has the best class schedule ever!) but I am not. Baily does not like this. AT ALL. She always was a bit of a whiny butt, but I would call home and hear her crying in the back ground. Her shedding was out of control (a sign of stress) and she jumped whenever a door shut. The hubs has said for a couple years we need to get her on meds (we have done so much training but none of it has taken). I kept putting it off but finally gave in.
A month ago I made an appointment with the vet. I talked to him about the situation, all the training (he said he wants to make sure we worked on training first and not looking to drugs to be the answer) and he agreed it was time to try puppy prozac. So I got the bottle, went home and proptly gave it to the hubs.
When I returned the next week guess what? Baily wasn't shedding any more, she hadn't cried very much and she was going on the patio with us (something that used to terrify her). Three weeks later she keeps getting better.
I have to admit, a part of me feels like I have admitted defeat by drugging my dog but its the solution that works for us (short of me quitting me job). We have had a busy couple weeks. I was in Baltimore last week, Virginia Beach last weekend, Baltimore this week, Vegas next weekend and get to work from home for a week. I plan to enjoy my time on the sofa with Baily as my assistant
Sorry no pics this time. There are none I have that can fit the mood.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
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28 comments:
Sometimes you gotta do things that you don't really like to do.
I don't think you have any reason to feel bad. You've tried a bunch of different options, and have settled on what works. The important thing is that Baily is feeling better! It's not fun to have to medicate, but sometimes it really is the only option. I'm glad you've found a way to reduce her stress and I hope you two have fun while she's your temporary assistant :)
You know what? we do the best we can.
Its not such a bad thing? Everyone seems in a better place, and that is the best thing. I am glad that it worked.
Why would doing something to help your dog be a negative? Good for you and for Baily!
Huh? Helping your dog be happy a bad thing? There is a reason that humans take prozac and it is because they are experiencing problems in their brain that are out of sync with reality and causing their brain chemicals to go haywire. Of course that can happen to doggies too!
Bravo to you for wanting what is best for your pup.
Slobbers,
Mango
It's not like you ignored your dog all of these years, threw your hands up into the air, and took the easy way out. You've worked with Baily for a long time before you made this decision, and this step worked for everyone. She's now getting to be the dog she was meant to be. You can all enjoy each other's company more! I think it's great!
I'm so pleased to see the supportive feedback you've gotten, and I applaud your bravery in sharing about a tough subject.
We were just looking into the possibility of adopting a dog that has big-time separation issues. It turns out his current owner is going to keep him, mainly because he just tried doggy Prozac with the dog, and life has improved dramatically for them both.
Prozac has so immensely helped a number of people in my life, that I can't help but feel it's a marvelous alternative to feeling stressed and unhappy forever. Hooray for Baily, and hooray for you!!
I fully agree with Mango's post. NOTHING wrong with using psychoactive drugs in dogs if the situation warrants it. Of course, you want to employ training/behavior modification along with the meds in hopes that they won't be needed anymore, but, for now, even if it's a long-term thing, there's nothing wrong with it. It's not like she knows she's on them.
We aren't any difFURent than humans that need some of their edges smoothed out -
Khongrats to woo fur doing something fur her!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
We think it's great that the drug has worked for Baily! It's nothing wrong at all to give your dog or cat something to help them in our opinion. Same as humans. We are just glad that Baily is happy now! That's what counts! Lots of love, Debbie and Holly
Yes! The important thing is that Baily is feeling much better!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
Glad to hear Kari is getting better now. I can understand what you're going through. Happy used to have major separation anxiety when she was younger. It's only in recent times she seems more calm. Maybe mellowing with age has something to do with it LOL.
I think that we need to do what we need to do in order to have a good, positive, productive day. Sometimes we need help. If drugs are the kind of help we need I think it is wrong to take that possibility off the table just because we have preconceived notions as to what drugs *say* about us. The main thing is that Baily is healthy today. Maybe something different will get her there tomorrow, but for today, if that is what she needs after all of the other things you have tried, I think you should make that option available to her.
Whatever helps Baily feel better is always a good thing. I bet all the pups will enjoy having you home for a whole week.:)
Love,
Teddy Bear
hey i think its awesome that baily's feeling better. whatever it takes to make her happy! and now she's happy! who cares if it was prozac that ultimately helped her! i take human prozac and i don't care what anyone thinks. it has changed my life.
I really didn't know about this for dogs, so thanks for sharing. If this is available for dogs, and vets recommend it, I can't see anything wrong with it. I've heard that separation anxiety feels like drowning, which would be such a terrible feeling, so if this helps then it sounds good.
Isn't modern medicine wonderful? None of us should have to suffer.
It sounds like you're doing nothing but helping Baily's anxiety and making her feel more relaxed. I think that's a good thing! Some dogs just need a little extra help and she is going through a big adjustment right now with you gone. I'm glad it's working for you guys.
Kudos on doing what is best for Bailey!!! We are thinking about doing the same for Bilbo...let us know how things go.
Hang in there!
We are happy that you didn't give up on Baily and found something that helps her relax. Time is so short for us doggies it would be a shame if Baily was anxious and afraid her whole life.
Waggles,
Bijou
I don't think you should feel bad, but just watch for crazy signs, I know prozac made my husband go crazy in a bad way, years ago, so I wonder if the same thing could happen to dogs?
xxoo
Deborah
PS, don't you just wish you could slow down a little bit? I know I do...
Bless her heart.
You know thank God for puppy Prozac. Poor girl was miserable and if a little pill makes her days easier, I say bravo!
Much better than her crying and making herself sick with stress.
It's a biological problem and should be thought of as such.
And it has a simple fix, thank God!
She will be so happy to have her mommy home for a week. So happy for both of you!
You should pat yourself on the back - and don't look back. You have a happy dog on your hands...
Dont feel sad. You tried everything else and if Bailey is now enjoying his life more then that is all that matters.. Hugs GJ xx
Mayzie's mom here. I'm a little late on this one but just wanted to tell you that I admire you for recognizing that your dog needed help and giving it to her. I always think of it this way. If my dog was suffering physically, would I hesitate to give her proper medication? No. There's such a stigma with mental health (both human and canine) and there shouldn't be. You're not "drugging" your dog. Your helping to no longer be in pain and improving her quality of life.
We have a Xanax prescription for Mayzie that we give her if she's going to be going into a situation that we know is going to scare her. It was at the point that I was worried she was going to hurt herself. Getting that prescription was one of the best things we ever did because it helped even out her mood and allowed her brain to be open to counter-conditioning and desensitization.
Sorry this was so long. I just don't want you to feel like you've taken the "easy" way out. You've given Baily a gift that I'm sure she would thank you for if she could.
Amber
Many people will just give their dog to the pound when he/she is not "convenient" to their lives. Many people will never try training, and probably even look at meds as too much "hassle." So, you have made the effort to try different methods for your dog, and you are doing what's right for her and not just giving up on her like so many do! Dont feel bad!
I am so glad that you found a way to help Baily feel better. We use an herbal dog calming med during times of stress, like hunting season in this area (since we are out in the middle of nowhere, the hunters often come close and we have a couple of dogs that freak at gun shots). I hope for you all, that she will eventually be able to be weaned off of them, but I'm sure that you and your vet will do what is best for her.
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