THE GOAL
The
reason to use veterinary prescribed
behavior medication is to intentionally
affect the animal's brain
chemistry during behavior
modification. In some cases, there
is a genetic or metabolic reason
to continue this medication
for life, although this is the
exception.
In most cases, the
primary goal is to SPEED UP
the animal's learning by reducing
its anxiety, so it can learn
without this distraction. Once
the new habit patterns are in
place (as a result of behavior
modification training), then
the medication is tapered and
hopefully stopped.
In most cases, the
primary goal is to SPEED
UP the animals learning
by reducing its anxiety,
so it can learn without
this distraction.
INFORMED
CONSENT
Most
animal behavior medications
do not have the potential sales
market for a drug company to
do full scale testing. Therefore,
if this testing has not been
done, there is no label on the
drug bottle for animal use. The use of the drug is called,
"Off-Label Use."
The use and dose is, therefore,
based on many veterinarians
using the drug, and sharing
their personal results in articles
and lectures. In
most cases, the pet owner is
asked to sign an "informed
consent" to be able to
use this medication. If you
have questions or concerns,
contact the person who arranged
for you to obtain the prescription.
TIME
OF DAY TO GIVE THE MEDICATION
Unless
otherwise instructed, give behavior
medications in the morning.
If the instructions are to give
the medication twice daily, try for
approximately 12 hours apart.
If it indicates 3x per day,
try for approximately 8 hours
between doses. If this is impossible,
just try to get as close as
you can to this goal.
GIVING
MEDS WITH FOOD
In
most cases it is best to
give the medication in a
small amount of special
food, before the regular
meal. If the medicine is
mixed into the regular food,
it is difficult to be sure
it was consumed. Here is
one way to go:
1. Prepare
3 pieces of a tasty
food to wrap around
the medication (if
given orally). This
might be a slice of hot dog,
a piece of soft cheese,
peanut butter, bread, or some
other moldable food
that the dog does
NOT get any other
time.
2. IF
the pet is "finicky"
start just before
the next meal, and
if possible do not
leave any food down,
so the pet is hungry
and motivated.
3. Give
the first piece of
food without a pill.
Some pets will "check
it out" carefully
for the "slip" of a
pill inside.
4. Let
the pet SEE the 3rd
treat,
but give the SECOND
(which contains the
med).
5. Immediately
after giving treat
2,
give the 3rd so that
the pet has to swallow
the 2nd piece (with
the med) rapidly.
POTENTIAL
BEHAVIOR MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS
Any time
behavior medication is prescribed,
there is the concern of side
effects. Minor temporary side
effects are relatively common.
In some cases, the side effects
can actually provide useful
information about the relative
dose (slightly too high) and
simply reducing the dose will
resolve the problem. In other
situations, the same side effect
(e.g. lethargy) may wear off
within two weeks. In other
situations, side effects
may indicate the need to change
medications.
If any of the following
potential side effects are noted,
skip one dose, then resume at
½ the previous dose until
you can contact either the veterinarian
or behaviorist who is supervising
the case. If the symptom continues
for more than 3 days, discontinue
the medication and call your
veterinarian.
Potential
Reversible, Temporary Side Effects
of Behavior Medication
Anorexia (loss of appetite)
Confusion
Decreased or altered greeting
behavior
Diarrhea
Diminished hearing
Disorientation
House soiling
Lack of Coordination
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Lethargy (decrease physical
activity)
Licking
Pale gums
Panting
Repetitive behavior like spinning,
circling, rocking
Restlessness or agitation
Salivation
Scratching
Sleep/Wake cycle changes
Stiffness
Straining to urinate
Urinary Tract Infection –
(causing straining to urinate)
Vomiting
Weakness
Weight loss
WHEN
TO EXPECT POSITIVE EFFECTS
This
varies with the medication.
If it is in the family or either
"SSRI" or "TCA"
(2 of the most common medication
families) then it takes 1-4
weeks for the medication to
be in the body before any result
can be expected. In these families,
there is minimal change in the
routine personality and a
reduction in anxiety. Therefore,
the only change you might see
is a decrease in the frequency
of the objectionable behavior.
DO
NOT TEST the animal by challenging
it to do the behavior it used
to do, just to see if the medication
is working. Every time the animal
does an objectionable behavior,
the concern is that "habit
pattern" is being developed.
IF systematic desensitization
and counter conditioning are
indicated, at that time, an experienced
trainer may put the animal into
provocative situations.
But
if done out of this context
by the owner, you may make the
problem worse.