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Unfortunately, little research has been performed on drugs used for behavioral therapy in dogs and cats. Most of the evidence for using these drugs has been anecdotal. Most of these drugs are approved for human use and are off-label in dogs and cats. While the idea of having a drug to cure a behavioral problem is tempting, simply administering a drug to a pet is not an effective way to manage behavior.
In order to manage behavioral issues, you must be committed to following a specific behavioral-modification plan tailored to your pet’s problem. Drugs are typically used to facilitate the process, but not to solve the problem. The following are some drugs that are commonly used in behavioral therapy.
Acepromazine is a tranquilizer that may be used for situations that are difficult to avoid and occur occasionally. It’s not routinely used for controlling behavior problems but to avoid anxiety in specific situations. Acepromazine is commonly used on the Fourth of July for anxieties with fireworks and also when pets travel in a car or an airplane. It has the added advantage of having anti-vomiting properties, so it’s great for pets that get carsick.
Valium, also called diazepam, is also commonly used for situations that require quick onset of effectiveness. It is used to minimize anxiety and can be used as an additional form of therapy in conjunction with other drugs. We use it as more of a medical treatment for specific diseases as opposed to a behavioral drug.
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors like fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac) have been indicated in anxiety, urine marking, compulsive behaviors, and sometimes for assistance in managing aggressive dogs. The therapeutic effects are usually seen within several weeks. The use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors is favorable because there are low side effects and sometimes favorable behavior changes.
Amitriptyline hydrochloride (Elavil) is a tricyclic antidepressant also used to decrease anxiety. This medication can cause cardiac arrhythmias and should not be used in a pet with cardiac disease. Tricyclic antidepressants also have antiitching effects, which helps control allergies. Like serotonin reuptake inhibitors, this drug may take several weeks to have an effect.
Clomipramine (Clomicalm) has characteristics of both serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants. It is FDA approved and has been used for treating various behavioral problems in dogs and cats, including urine marking, overgrooming, and especially separation anxiety in dogs. It does not alter your pet’s personality or memory.
Buspirone hydrochloride (Buspar) is used to decrease anxiety and has relatively little side effects. It is commonly used in cats to decrease urine marking. The use of Buspar has decreased because fluoxetine or clomipramine are now more commonly used.
In any of these behavior-modification drugs, there will be individual responses, so no definite prediction can be given when they are used. We use them sparingly, if at all, and at lower doses initially, making sure there are no adverse effects.