Do you support the anxiety meds for dogs in any situations?

Question

(ie. help get over the death of another pet, retraining previously aggressive or abused dogs, travel-airplane or car if dog is scared)

Answer 1

For temporary help yes I would support. However; just like people they should not be a way of life. I feel that anxiety and anti-depressant meds are a legal dependancy the Dr.'s get their cut. No different than street drugs or alcohol its all a way of escape and to avoid instead of dealing with our lives. Pets also need to deal with what is going on. Sometimes it may take work and training but it can be done without drugs.

Added

Sniffy - You have stated you are a "rescue director" you should know exactly what the question means and you should hav been able to but valuable input into this. As a "rescue director" within a few months you should have seen several situations that the average person would either euthanize or place a pet on drugs.

Answer 2

Yes I do.

As with humans, medication has it's place in the treatment of animal anxiety. Of course it's no good to just feed an animal meds and leave it at that, you need to treat the underlying problem not just the symptom.

Sometimes animals and people get themselves so wound up they don't respond to training/counselling. Medication can be used to calm them and get them in the right frame of mind to get the proper help. Medication is good for treating symptoms, but is not a cure.

I most often see animals on sedatives for anxiety around the fireworks month. I don't disagree with it, I just try to make owners aware that there are other treatments that have long term effects, instead of just dosing your animal up every year. There is even a CD available called 'sounds scary' which can help desensitise your pet to loud noises, as well as many training techniques.

I used to suffer from panic attacks and long-term anxiety. I needed medication to bring me back down to earth because I was so insane with panic I didn't even feel like I was in my body anymore. The medication got me over the physical symptoms and then I went to counselling and got the whole thing sorted, then I was able to come off the meds. Its the same sort of thing with dogs, we're not so different!

Chalice

Answer 3

If all other options have been exhausted then, yes, they are ok. But first you need to get the opinion of 2 or 3 qualified professionals (no one on Yahoo) and then work on behavior modification, training and exercise first. I've also had wonderful experiences with D.A.P. products. This is a simulated dog pheramone that helps to calm a dog in stressful situations. You can get it in a collar, in a plug in difusser for the home, or is a spray bottle.

Answer 4

In extreme situations, I am all right with it. But those situations would probably be 1% of the pet population 1% of the time...

On here actually, I read about a Katrina rescue that was intensely afraid of rain... not just thunder... rain, even sprinkles... and would cower and shake in a corner if was raining... okay, in that situation I suggested anxiety meds for the poor critter...

so, yes, i think it's fine in extreme situations, but not for everyday fears [ie: a rescue dog afraid of men, a puppy afraid of thunder]

Answer 5

The all natural herbal stuff sems fine but I use tranquilizers for my dog when he goes to the vet. It was the last option, he is terrified of the vet and shows aggression to them, he fights so much he has been injured so have they. It is not for every time he goes only when they are doing his nails or working with his feet. I hate giving my dog any meds, for everything we use all natural flea meds, allergy meds, vitamins, I never use drugs on my dogs the natural stuff works better and it is safer. But in the case of the vet it breaks my heart to see him so upset he stops breathing, he gets hurt and they do to. But that is the only time I use anyhting like that.

Answer 6

I do support the anxiety medications BUT only for temporary because anxiety meds are highly dependency drugs and should only use as an aid.

Answer 7

Yes. My dog is terrified by firecrackers/fireworks, so I have to take him to the vet for medication prior to the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve. (US) Otherwise he panics and runs around the house, trying to find a safe place, but he can never find one, poor pup.
-w-

Answer 8

Only temporarily and only in a short term highly stressful situation, like travel. And even in those situations, there are all natural remedies you can buy for them...herbal products made specifically for that purpose.

Answer 9

Animal behaviorists have been using meds with dogs for a long time now. If it can help a dog, then I say follow the advice of a veterinary animal behaviorist!

Answer 10

No. In my opinion, if a dog needs to be on anti-anxiety meds, he has a nerve problem. I do not want a dog like that around me or my family. I am very big on and demand an enviromentaly sound dog. I need 1000% solid nerves. Dogs like that should be put down because of issues that are underlying the need for the meds.