[Fouttysotlalf]

A friend suggested I put my dog on Prozac. He said his friends dog was getting DA and Prozac helped him. I just said I'll look into it thinking no way am I'm going to give my puppy drugs.

I mean is it common to treat dogs with antidepressants?

[Mjxhnapi]

Prozac for dogs can actually CAUSE aggression from what I researched, and yes, there are anti anxiety meds for dogs. I actually had it suggested for my girl Scarling as she is fear aggressive but what I was told is that they are more for dogs that have anxiety issues, not aggression issues. Say like a dog that is scared of thunder storms, not an unstable dog. There is nothing wrong with your dog that it needs to be medicated. She is displaying NORMAL breed, as well as dog traits. People just look for easy, lazy fixes so they don't have to manage their dog. The drugs aren't really suggested for a dog unless you are going to include behavioral therapy anyway. It's just a way to take the edge off so to speak so you can work with the dog. Now if your friends dog was showing DA due to high anxiety about other dogs, and not a prey or fight driven reaction, that may be another ball game.

[Nzmoafzn]

I have a few people in the area that have their dogs on drugs due to seperation anxiety. Thing is, I don't believe the dogs actually have seperation anxiety. The particular dog in question spend at least 8 hours a day in their crates between their owners working ans sleeping and they aren't worked or walked or even trained very well. So, they act like insane idiots when let loose from the crates and this makes their owner think they need medication. I think they'd be fine with some quality attention and exercise.

With so many people (adults and kids) needlessly on meds I guess I can't be too surprised its spreading to our dogs. Yes, there are some folks who need medication and some dogs, too, but not nearly as many as are on it.

[Mjxhnapi]

Pretty well MJJean. My kids can be pretty annoying. Maybe I should medicate them, too! I might get a moments peace.

[wizardasa]

there is nothing needing to be fixed.

however, to talk about prozac, I had my dog (RIP) on it for his severe SA when training didn't work and really, NEVER AGAIN will I use it.
I used it 2 weeks on my dog, and while it has awsome results normally, my dog went from a loving, outgoing dog to a depressed dog that would barely walk a bit around the house before going to sleep again for the entire day...

[nd90t3sf]

I've been thinking about going to a homeopathic remedy workshop at the pet store I go to all the time. Mostly because Damascus is a real anxious whiner when he's presented with any situation outside of the house, and a homeopathic anxiety remedy is worth a shot. But no way would I go with Prozac. I get prozac before the dogs do.

[fudelholf]

A friend suggested I put my dog on Prozac. He said his friends dog was getting DA and Prozac helped him. I just said I'll look into it thinking no way am I'm going to give my puppy drugs.

I mean is it common to treat dogs with antidepressants?

i don't understand why people put their DA dogs on drugs, i think its ridiculous and sad. would you medicate water dogs (Portuguese Water Dogs for example) because they love the water? this is NOT directed towards you, don't worry. just your friend.... i remember reading a post from someone here that medicate their DA dog.

Good afternoon,
I have a DA pit in my home now. He showed up in my pasture having escaped from a very bad situation. He did not display his other dog aggression for 6 weeks, then he became hot. There was one dog in my pack that he was determine to kill. I used a variety of techniques and all worked with moderate success.

I was determined to keep everyone alive and safe in my home so I started my 80 lb Pit on Fluoxetine (Prozac) and the DA stopped instantly.

I don't want to promote medicating dogs or to suggest that Fluoxetine is a wonder drug but using the medication in conjunction with training and pack management saved the life of my Pit and the other dog.

As for Human Aggression, I had to put a HA dog down several years ago. I was in a dog trainers conference once and the presenter made a really strong argument on putting HA dogs to sleep. It is a horriable choice to have to make but at the end of the day I knew I wanted to be able to continue to rescue and rehabilitate dogs - one HA dog could have destroyed that.

Why not just keep the dogs separate instead of giving them drugs? I doubt anybody gives a greyhound drugs because they feel they run too fast.

To me, I don't understand medicating a dog for something he is "made for". Would you medicate a beagle if he was trying to follow a scent or get a rabbit?

why would you medicate APBT for showing signs of DA????they are suppose to show signs of DA.
Heres a thought...My 4 yr old shows signs of A.D.D when he's around other kids(like most 4yr old's)maybe i should put him on ritalin.....
and somebody who steals a dog from ANYBODY is no better then the hsus when they come takin our dogs away...

[capeAngedlelp]

This makes me very sad. The only time I have heard of Prozac being used is for dogs with separation anxiety. Even then, I don't like using human meds for animals.

Your dog doesn't need Prozac. It needs an owner that is willing to manage the behaviour that comes naturally. Consider yourself lucky. There are many people on here that have more than one dog with DA that live under one roof. All you have to do is make sure your dog is leashed while in public, avoid parks, and carry a breakstick. Logan isn't DA but will not back down if challenged. To be on the safe side, I cross the street if I see another dog coming.

[tadacia]

this isnt prozac but i was reading this and found it interesting a pitbull was put on Viagra for a heart condition....poor baby used be used as bait

Long Island Dog Needs Viagra For Heart Condition - Gothamist

[fudelholf]

i'm NOT crazy about nor DO I LIKE the idea of medicating dogs. (whether its DA or HA, FA, etc)

[Krruqgwt]

My Border Collie takes Xanax, but only for thunderstorms. It just takes the edge off for him. It doesn't make him act drugged or anything. He becomes a horrid mess without it. The xanax will calm him down to the point that I can get him to listen to me, which means I can distract him. If I can get him doing an activity, he'll be basically okay, as long as we don't stop.

It's the only thing he's fearful of, so it's pretty easy to deal with and only a concern in the summer.

[fudelholf]

I have a few people in the area that have their dogs on drugs due to seperation anxiety.

i know a stupid idiot bleeding heart couple that has their unstable (HA/Fear aggressive) Amstaff on drugs just so the idiots can live with her.
instead of having her PTS. :'(

[Krruqgwt]

i know a stupid idiot bleeding heart couple that has their unstable (HA/Fear aggressive) Amstaff on drugs just so the idiots can live with her.
instead of having her PTS. :'(

Wait, the dog is aggressive TOWARDS them? And they keep it drugged up instead of PTS?

[fudelholf]

Wait, the dog is aggressive TOWARDS them? And they keep it drugged up instead of PTS?

yes, that what they told me, i think its BS and cruel.

---------- Post added at 01:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:47 PM ----------

i told them, that the dog needs to be euthanized and do they listen? HELL NO :'(

[Krruqgwt]

yes, that what they told me, i think its BS and cruel.

I agree.

I grew up with a GSD that would go after any animal/human that did not live in our house unprovoked. But she was perfect with the family and would let the cats boss her around. Had she ever bitten any of us (or succeeded in biting an outsider), she would have been a dead dog really quick. And, she was never, ever loose around strangers, because we didn't want to take that chance with her.

[fudelholf]

i told her and hubby that imo, prolonging the life of a dog who is clearly NOT stable or safe to be around is selfish and cruel. :'( i swear it seems like everyday its "SAVE THEM ALL" day.

[bWn4h8QD]

I am seriously hoping this is a joke but I know it's not. No, I do not support using prozac to help with dog aggression in an APBT. I strongly suggest that person choose another breed.

[fudelholf]

I strongly suggest that person choose another breed.

you can say that again

[capeAngedlelp]

I strongly suggest that person choose another breed.

I wonder if the shelter will take the dog back and if they do, adopt out to a better suited home.

[Fouttysotlalf]

Thanks for the opinions. I'm not putting my dog on Prozac. I was just surprised at the suggestion as I had never heard of such a thing.

I can see giving a dog something for thunderstorms or fireworks. I had to do this with my last dog especially on the fourth of july.