Medications for reactivity

[rebelsgirl]

Hi there, I wasn't sure where to put this question. I don't even remember if I've posted about Zoe my female GSD before. She's 15 months old. She's taken beginners OB and Intermediate twice, and was in recreational agility.

She has been taking fluoxetine for her reactivity for the past few months. The vet took her off of it and started clomipramine. He didn't wean her off it it. Just changed medications. I asked him about it at the time and he said she wasn't on it long enough to have to wean off and the clomipramine would help when she stopped taking the fluoxetine.

She went to agility Tuesday and was worse than she normally is. She did her lunge, growl barking thing almost all the way thru. I couldn't concentrate on anything else but her to keep her in check.

At home she's been wonderful. She's more curious, more loving, as before she was avoiding all of us. At class it's a different story.

My trainer is going to call a vet that she knows is familiar with dogs like Zoe and the medications, so we'll see how that goes.

I knew I wouldn't see the effects of the medication for the next 3 to 6 weeks but what I seen Tuesday tells me something is wrong.

So my question is, has any dog here been on these medications, and how did they change them from one to the other? Weaning or no weaning?

Any advice will be very appreciated.

[JudynRich]

My dog hasn't been medicated, but has the same issues. Mia loves other dogs that come over to play, but out on walks if we run into another dog, I must look like this woman barely holding back her killer attack dog! Are there other ways (aside from meds) that dogs can break from this!

[Kris10]

Why was the med changed? Was the fluoxetine ineffective or causing side effects? Also, what was the dosage? If it was a low, starting dose the vet may have felt it fine to change over that way.

[JakodaCD OA]

I'd ask why the med was changed as well?

[rebelsgirl]

Yes, she was on 20mg to start. She never really improved with her anxiety during this time. When we went for her check up I told him about her behavior. I have to keep a log due to my contract with the trainer and I had seen some unsettling behavior in her for the last two months.

He upped the fluoxetine to 40 mg for two days and her behavior became worse.

That's when he changed her medication to the clomipramine.

Judy, I have tried so many things with her since we brought her home and realized she had a problem. She's been in training since. I can't tell you how many books I've bought for reactive dogs and worked thru them with her. That's when we went to medication.

It may just be a fact that she will never be able to be in a class setting again. She's a great home dog with this new medication but she was way worse at training the other day. Trainer thought it could be because of her not weaning off the other medication.

[Runswithdogs]

Mine is on clomipramine for SA & anxiety (she is also reactive)...did he have you gradually increase on the clomipramine to a therapeutic dose? Regen is on 100 mg, but she started out at 25 mg for 2 days, then 50 mg (25 2x/day) for the next few days, then 75, then 100. I know for Regen, it caused some stomach upset and lethargy, some dogs become more reactive when they are feeling 'off' like that.
Fluoxetine has a longer half life than many other drugs, that is the only reason I can think of that he wouldn't taper. You may want to see if it interacts with clomipramine- that may be the issue. You wouldn't start to see discontinuation effects with the fluoxetine for a couple of days or even a week, if she has any.

It's hard having a reactive dog- we have had more success in class setting (obedience and beginning agility), but on leashed walks and even in our back yard (neighbors have dogs), it feels like I'm always on edge. We've also worked with Control Unleashed and Feisty Fido with some success, but honestly I think we would have to have the time to work every single day, 2-3 sessions, for a month to really get the kind of results that they write about in the book.

[debbiebrown]

Did you ever try some alternatives before putting her on the meds? many people have great success with Bach Flower mixtures including myself with my young male.........there are so many things available...........i think Vets like human Drs are to quick to hand out meds........these problems can be worked with through conditioning and the right combination of things...........i also don't think its a good idea to be doing agility right now., its way to exciting, and you can't expect this dog to be calm in this setting without backing up and doing some conditioning, focus work, etc.......honestly, you would be better off in a regular Obedience class where things are calmer more controlled so you can work on these things...........by continuing to go to agility at this time you are setting the dog up to fail, and frustrating yourself in the meantime.........

i would educate yourself on exercises to calm your dog, working on self control exercises, focus, etc...........this takes time and work...........so, my advice would be to back up and work on the things i mentioned, get into the proper class, so you can work on this stuff.........

[debbiebrown]

also, the key with reactive dogs is to keep them out of reactive situations, alot of it is learned behavior that has been repeated in situations........if you don't feel comfortable as a handler to go into any classes, i think you would greatly benifit from private training with a qualified trainer.........privately you can work on things and become a more confident handler with your dog..............learning how to control your dog in situations, giving the dog something else to do besides react........

[bianca]

Obviously humans and dogs are different but my doctors have always slowly weaned me on and off fluoxetine.

[debbiebrown]

i also think just like people taking anti-anxiety meds one size does not fit all, and alot of times some of these meds can make the problem worse..........and in dogs, sometimes it makes them feel different and may change behavior not for the best........