Prozac for dogs? Surely not!
Detail:
What is the world coming to? A canine version of the anti-depressant Prozac has apparently been approved for sale to British owners.
Reconcile, a one-a-day beef-flavoured chewy tablet, is said to cure CCD (canine compulsive disorder) and separation anxiety. US drug manufacturer Eli Lilly saysthe drug can also curb compulsive pacing, chewing and dribbling.
Excuse me? I can’t think of anything more symptomatic of today’s pill-popping, easy-fix mentality.
Caged zoo animals pace because they are stressed. A dog that is left alone for too long with nothing to stimulate or keep it occupied will eventually exhibit behavioural problems. Popping pills is not going to cure the underlying problem or solve the cause. It is a quick-fix solution for people who obviously do not have their pet’s best interests at heart.
When you think of the number of toys available to owners as boredom breakers; the number of skilled dog trainers and behaviourists who can offer help; and the good old-fashioned technique of going for a walk with your dog, there is really no need for canine anti-depressants.
Now I am no vet, trainer nor behaviourist and I guess there might be the very occasional animal that is so disturbed that drugs are an only solution – but I suspect Roger Mugford might disagree with even this. However, we are living in a society that I think is all too quick to label and identify “problems”, then prescribe a drug to “fix” said problem. And sometimes the “fix” can cause more problems…side effects of Reconcile can include lethargy, reduced appetite, vomiting, shaking, diarrhoea, restlessness, excessive barking, aggression and seizures in a small number of dogs.
Let’s hope the British public vote with their feet on this one.
Reconcile, a one-a-day beef-flavoured chewy tablet, is said to cure CCD (canine compulsive disorder) and separation anxiety. US drug manufacturer Eli Lilly saysthe drug can also curb compulsive pacing, chewing and dribbling.
Excuse me? I can’t think of anything more symptomatic of today’s pill-popping, easy-fix mentality.
Caged zoo animals pace because they are stressed. A dog that is left alone for too long with nothing to stimulate or keep it occupied will eventually exhibit behavioural problems. Popping pills is not going to cure the underlying problem or solve the cause. It is a quick-fix solution for people who obviously do not have their pet’s best interests at heart.
When you think of the number of toys available to owners as boredom breakers; the number of skilled dog trainers and behaviourists who can offer help; and the good old-fashioned technique of going for a walk with your dog, there is really no need for canine anti-depressants.
Now I am no vet, trainer nor behaviourist and I guess there might be the very occasional animal that is so disturbed that drugs are an only solution – but I suspect Roger Mugford might disagree with even this. However, we are living in a society that I think is all too quick to label and identify “problems”, then prescribe a drug to “fix” said problem. And sometimes the “fix” can cause more problems…side effects of Reconcile can include lethargy, reduced appetite, vomiting, shaking, diarrhoea, restlessness, excessive barking, aggression and seizures in a small number of dogs.
Let’s hope the British public vote with their feet on this one.
By:
Sandra
Date/time :
22/02/2010
Replies to this topic...
