prescription medications

• Costco

• Pain Relief

• CBD

• Probiotics

• Behavior & Drugs

Costco pharmacies carry a variety of prescription drugs commonly used for dogs and cats. These include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and heart-worm prevention. Costco members who have no prescription drug coverage through an insurance plan can sign up for the Costco Member Prescription Program (CMPP) for their family which include pets.

Outdated Theories & Anti-Depressants

Medication Errors Happen to Pets, Too

Veterinary Medication Errors

How to Safely Dispose of Unused Medications

Pain Relief

Pain — “If your dog is feeling discomfort or is dealing with a painful condition, heavy or frequent panting can be one of the first signs of trouble. If your dog is panting for no discernible reason or at odd times, for example, at night when she's normally resting, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian.”

Prescription drugs can react with other drugs and supplements you are giving your dog. Never give aspirin or any prescription drug to you dog or cat without your veterinarians guidance.

“although there are numerous “dog aspirin” products on the market, aspirin is not FDA-approved for use in dogs. According to Dr. Petty, “the administration of even a few doses of aspirin has been shown to cause inflammation of the gastric mucosa or lining of the stomach.” He considers all types of aspirin (plain, buffered, or coated) too dangerous for canine use.”

There are potential side effects with every medication so there use must be done with caution and guidance working with your veterinarian. Abby is my logo dog and she is now 14-years old with what the vet described as 4+++ Hip Dysplasia. I took her off of all prescription pain medications some time ago because of health problems that resulted from thier use. We are managing her pain with safer pain relief alternatives now.

Here is a good article on prescription drugs.

• Prescription Drugs for Dogs’ Arthritis Pain

  A range of options for treating your dog's arthritis pain exist, but note the contraindications for each.

Note that in recent research tramadol has not been shown effective for the treatment of pain from osteoarthritis.

Lack of effectiveness of tramadol hydrochloride for the treatment of pain and joint dysfunction in dogs with chronic osteoarthritis

International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management

Dogs Who Overdose Need More Than Reversal Medication

For pain relief alternatives: PAIN RELIEF

FOR INFORMATION ON CBD FOR PAIN RELIEF

Probiotics

Purchasing Probiotics for Dogs and Cats

Probiotics for Dogs and Cats: What Are They and How Do They Help?

Behavior & Mood

Bifidobacterium longum BL999 has been reported to help with behavior and mood. You may need to inquire of the manufacturer to determine strain.

Genus - Bifidobacterium

Species - longum

Strain - BL999

Written by Dr. Karen Shaw Becker

“Probiotics are beneficial strains of live microorganisms that help maintain healthy levels of gut-friendly bacteria in your pet’s digestive tract”

“Humans and dogs host very similar microbes, they are not exactly the same microbes, but very closely related strains of the same species.”  

Look for CFU (Colony Forming Units) which is a measure of viable microorganisms. The standard I use is a minimum of 1 billion for the primary microorganisms and a capsule or coated powder so the microorganisms are active in digestion. “Choose a probiotic with the highest CFU to make sure that you give your dog a diverse array of beneficial organisms in just one dose.”

Each microorganism has its own job to do so for specific purposes be sure to look for the correct strain.

Stress-Related Gastrointestinal Upsets and Diarrhea in Dogs.

(Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7) may help to prevent stress-related gastrointestinal upsets and diarrhea in dogs.

Probiotics during and after antibiotics

• Bifidobacterium bifidum  

• Bifidobacterium longum

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus

• Streptococcus thermophilus

• Bifidobacterium breve

Probiotics for Behavior / Mood

• Bifidobacterium longum BL999

• Lactobacillus acidophilus

• Bifidobacterium bifidum  

• Lactobacillus casei

• Bifidobacterium lactis

• Bifidobacterium animalis

• cats for stress

 For Stress & Diarrhea in Cats & Dogs

•  Enterococcus faecium SF68

38 Billion CFU – 14 Effective Probiotic Strains

Probiotics and behavior

Effects of Varying Doses of a Probiotic Supplement Fed to Healthy Dogs Undergoing Kenneling Stress

• Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7

http://www.jarvm.com/articles/Vol10Iss3/Vol10%20Iss3%20Kelley.pdf

Dog and human digestive systems have similarities

https://www.petfoodindustry.com/articles/7666-dog-and-human-digestive-systems-have-similarities

Behavior & Drugs

 ″Pharmacological therapy for behavior problems in dogs should always be conducted only as a last resort and always under the direct supervision of a veterinary behaviorist″. The Dog: Its Behavior, Nutrition, and Health Second Edition by Linda P. Case

Behavioral pharmacology with animals differs from other areas of pharmacology because animal behavior seems to be more prone to environmental influences, rather than pathophysiology. There is no reason to believe that a neurotransmitter imbalance is commonly the cause for most problem behaviors. Rather than seek out a drug for a quick fix, the owner should seek out a professional who understands dogs and has the skills to bring about positive results. Using psychotropic drugs to correct behavior should always be a last resort and always under the direct supervision of a veterinary behaviorist.

Since the majority of problem behaviors are not caused by a neurotransmitter imbalance, these problems can be resolved without the necessity for drug treatment. Problems behaviors such as, anxiety, barking, hyperactivity, separation anxiety, whining or any other behavior considered disruptive should first be addressed by a knowledgeable individual who understands a dog′s development and behavior. When drugs are used the common approaches are typically to assist a behavior modification program that theoretically could work alone, or to correct an existing physiological abnormality such as deficiency in a neurotransmitter system.

If drugs are used, they should be used in conjunction with a behavior modification program. Drugs themselves should not be considered a quick fix. There are no guarantees that a drug will control the problem behavior for months or years. 

The use of anxiolytic or anti-anxiety drugs with dogs that displays aggression can have the affect of diminishing fear, leading to a dog that is more aggressive.  

Many dogs that carry the label ″behavior problems″ are often under exercised, full of energy, bored, and not provided the proper structure, discipline, and training.     

Successful behavior modification depends upon accurately identifying the reason for the behavior. We start by looking at the behavior patterns exhibited by a specific dog in a specific circumstance to determine the function of the behavior. We also look for contributing factors to the behavior within the environment of the dog and the behavior of the owners.

Remember, dogs cannot complain of side effects, they simply suffer. A dog on drugs is not better behaved, they are drugged.  

References

Canine and Feline Behavior Therapy Second Edition       Benjamin L. Hart, Lynette A. Hart, Melissa J. Bain

The Dog : Its Behavior, Nutrition, & Health  Second Edition     Linda P. Case

Veterinary Behavior Medications: Which Medication, Which Patient?

Serotonin Enhancers

Serotonin tends to have calming and mood elevating effects. Believed to be useful in elevating serotonin above normal to facilitate behavior modification programs.  

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI)

Reasons for Use:

• Anxiety, repetitive behaviors, and some reports of use in aggression.

Medication

• Fluoxetine (Prozac)

  • “Prozac can take 3–4 weeks to have an effect. It has strong “anti-aggression” effects on behavior, and seems to be most effective in treating aggressive behavior characterized by severe impulsivity, profound aggressive behavior, and interdog aggressive behavior.” [2]

  • “Prozac is less sedating than amitriptyline or clomipramine (see below) and seems less likely to cause cardiac problems than the tricyclic antidepressants. Side-effects may include increased irritability, anxiety, seizures, abnormal bleeding, trembling, transient anorexia, decreased sociability, mild sedation, decreased sexual motivation, and mild gastrointestinal upset” [2]

• Sertraline (Zoloft)

• Paroxetine (Paxil)

  Concerns with Use:

There is no reason to believe that a serotonin deficiency is commonly the cause of most problem behaviors. Amount of time needed to see significant changes in behavior has not been determined in animals. Commitment to treat up to 6 weeks to see the full effect of the drug.

Side effects reported with use.

Serotonin Enhancers Tricyclic Antidepressants

Reasons for Use:

• Anxiety, repetitive behaviors, and some reports of use in aggression.

Medication

• Clomipramine (Clomicalm)

  • “Clomipramine is less sedating than amitriptyline, but more sedating than fluoxetine.” [2]

  • “Clomipramine’s most valuable contribution is in treating separation distress, not aggressive behaviors. It is probably more effective with more risk-averse or chronically stressed dogs who make use of aggressive behaviors. Side-effects may include sedation, mydriasis, regurgitation, appetite changes, and urinary retention” [2]
    

• Amitriptyline (Elavil)

  • “The onset of action of amitriptyline may be as long as 2–6 weeks”

    “Amitriptyline can be helpful with escape/avoidance-based aggressive behavior and interdog aggressive behavior. However, in at least one study (Virga, Houpt, & Scarlett, 2001), amitriptyline had no significant effect on aggressive behavior. Amitriptyline is far less popular now that fluoxetine and clomipramine (see below) have been developed.” [2]

  Concerns with Use:

• There is no reason to believe that a serotonin deficiency is commonly the cause of most problem behaviors.

• Can lower the seizure threshold, and should be avoided in animals with a seizure disorder.  

• Side effects reported with use.

Azapirones

Reasons for Use:

• Anxiety, repetitive behaviors, and some reports of use in aggression.

Medication

•   Buspirone (Buspar)

Concerns with Use:

• Animals can become more aggressive, possibly due to reduced inhibition of fear-related aggression.

• Facilitates the release of dopamine which may contribute to an increase of aggression.   

• Side effects reported with use.

Benzodiazepine Derivatives

Reasons for Use:

• Anxiety (primarily episodic or panic attacks) and seizure control.

• Because of its rapid onset of antianxiety influences within a day or two it is used for dogs fearful of automobile rides, reduction of anxiety to firecrackers.

Medication

• Diazepam (Valium)

• Alprazolam (Xanax)

• Clonazepam (Kolnopin)

Concerns with Use:

• Can cause disinhibition of aggression which is a concern with animals known to be aggressive.

• Possibility of liver toxicity.

• Can cause an increase in appetite, which can be a problem for dogs already overweight.

• Side effects reported with use.

[1]

[2] O'Heare,James. Aggressive Behavior In Dogs - A Comprehensive Technical Manual for Professionals, 3rd Edition. Behavetech Publishing.