BLISSFUL-BOHEMIAN

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Prozac for Bella, Yes or No

This is a Bella update.
Bella my new dog has a terror of being alone and of loud noises like thunder.
Here is a list of all the things we have tried:
Thundershirt,
DAP collar,
Rescue remedy,
Healthy Calm, herbal pills,triple the dose no less.
Valerian root pills,
playing thunder Cd's and various behavioral training.
Thus far NOTHING has done ANYTHING to change her attitude.
My neighbor may be able to pet sit, but he cannot commit.
I will be leaving her home alone 2-3 days a week, the rest of the time she will be with me.
I cannot afford kenneling her at $27 a day rates.
My vet tells me Prozac is the best option.
This does not make me happy, I hate giving her these chemicals.
I need help with this decision.
Do any of you know a person or animal who takes Prozac?
What are your thoughts?
Thank you :-)
XOXO

22 comments:

angela recada said...

I don't know about Prozac, but I know how you feel about giving Bella chemicals. I felt the same way about giving Beau meds, until it became inevitable that he needs them to function anymore. Right now he's on two pain pills per day, minimum, plus 2 pills for his arthritis. Without the pills, we wouldn't have Beau anymore. I hate it, but I do it so Beau can be comfortable as long as possible.

Thinking of you and Bella, and hoping you find a solution you can both feel good about.

Love and hugs,
xoxoxo
Angela

Judy Shreve said...

Oh Annie - it's all so stressful, but if the Prozac truly helps Bella then it's worth it. She'll relax - you won't worry. I have a friend who gives her Westie Prozac and he's so much better.
You could always just give it a try and see if it does help. I hope you both get some relief.
Lots of hugs!
xxoo

Laurie Wambaugh said...

Hi Annie,

I take Prozac, believe it or not! I have been taking it for several years as I was getting panic attacks that felt like heart attacks and nothing I tried worked. This definitely works for me. As you know it is not for everyone and does take some time to get the dosage right, but it definitely made a difference in me. I say if you have tried all the natural remedies and nothing seems to work, it is worth a try.

Annie said...

Angela and Judy,
Thank you, this helps more than you know.
xoxo

Annie said...

Laurie,

Thank you sweetie, this helps!
I sent your package! xoxo

Barbara/myth maker said...

Actually, I was thinnking Prozac for Bella (they have it in a liquid form) before you mentioned this, but didn't know how you'd feel about it. I've heard about some good results with this medication for dogs. Really eases the anxiety.

Unknown said...

I think you need to try it. She needs some help and other than shipping her to somewhere that rarely has thunderstorms...you don't have many options. Perhaps after she is on it for a while, she might get used to the sounds and not need to be on it indefinitely. If she can experience it without the anxiety, it might help her in the future. Meds are never my favorite choice either, but since therapy isn't an option, you might be best trying this for now.

Lynn Cohen said...

I haven't a clue about Prozac. But if you want to try my relaxation CD on her I'll send one gratis.

My clients /some of) have told me their dogs join them to listen to it and lay on their backs spread eagle until it's over! couldn't hurt. ;-) Perhaps like a human it would sink in and she'd be able to do it on her own if thunder struck when you were away...or you could leave it playing on a coninuous loop while away. ??? Let me know.

Annie said...

Lynn, thank you, but i don't have anyway to keep it playing while I am away, and that is when I need it. If it thunders while I am home she is fine as long as I am with her to comfort her. But thank you so much for the offer.
xoxo

Annie said...

Barbara and Victoria,
Thank you for weighing in, this is helping me so much.
xoxo

ArtPropelled said...

If it helps other pets it's worth a try. I have heard of a parrot on prosaic. He was completely naked after pulling out all his feathers. The prosaic solved the problem.

ArtPropelled said...

Eek... my spelling...Prozac. Good luck with Bella xxx

annie said...

Robyn,
You made me laugh, and thank you the story helps me feel better.
xoxo

sukipoet said...

I know nothing about prozac however seems like it is worth a try.

Secret Agent Woman said...

My ex was a vet before he was a psychologist. He said Prozac could be really helpful for animals with intense anxiety. And it's not like there are terrible side effects. For me, cost would be the biggest factor.

Annie said...

Secret Agent, In this case Prozac is cheap, 100 pills for 16.95 which is a 3 month supply so 64 dollars a year I can do. I have already spent over 200 dollars seeking a cure :-).
xoxo

willowtree said...

Bentley the beagle used to be deathly afraid of thunder, sedation was the only solution.

willowtree said...

Bentley the beagle used to be deathly afraid of thunder, sedation was the only solution.

Unknown said...

Got some more info from one of my bird friends who suggested DAP, which is a dog appeasing pheramone...

"she should look into a DAP diffuser. and melatonin oh and a benedryl ;-0 these are all the things i tried with my husband's dog tag he was so afraid of storms he went through a plate glass window needed more than 100 stitchesDap and the melatonin helped a lot with Taggy"

Another friend said she used Xanax and it totally worked.

Unknown said...

http://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/dog-anxiety.html

Annie said...

Peter, Great to see you! xoxo

Victoria, She has a DAP collar on right now, it has no effect, I don't feel like spending another 30bucks to find out the diffuser does not work either, and I have tried several herbal remedies at 25dollars a pop, Bella has had no response. I am running out of time,
and the Prozac takes 3-6 weeks to kick in, so it is now or never as it will be too warm in a few weeks to leave her in the car. I do appreciate all the advice though.
xoxo

Kelly said...

I have taken drugs in that family before and I would say that if that's what it takes to give her some relief from her anxiety, then that's what it takes. You tried alternative solutions first, so good for you! I hope Prozac works for her.