Fido Needs a Fix: Treating Canine Depression
by Stephen Gainsly
http://www.depressionha.com
As strange as it may seem, members of the animal kingdom
can suffer from depression, just like their human
counterparts. There are different catalysts for this, and
your vet will have to address the issue if symptoms should
become apparent. This isn't as uncommon as you may think,
so don't simply dismiss it if your dog's behavior suddenly
shifts or his mood seems to plummet for a significant
amount of time. Contact your vet, who will be able to
determine if Fido really is suffering from depression, or
if something else is happening within your pet's health
profile.
One of the most common causes of depression in dogs is
separation anxiety. This can happen when the owner has
been away from the animal for an extended period of time,
and the pet has trouble adjusting to the absence of its
master. While it can happen with other types of pets, the
evidence has indicated that it's most common among "man's
best friend".
How do you know if your dog is depressed? Obvious symptoms
include destructive behavior, but that may be a result of
other causes as well. If the behaviors are unusual, be more
aware that they may be an exhibition of depression: loud,
continuous barking or howling, frequent toileting, by an
animal that has been house trained, agitated pacing; and
excessive drooling or licking. If your pet has not engaged
in these behaviors in the past, this may be a signal that
your pet is suffering from depression.
The upside to this scenario is that it can be treated with
medication. Dogs are typically given a prescription for
depression meds after other options have been exhausted.
For instance, vets would prefer to integrate a behavior
modification program into the dog's routine rather than to
prescribe pills. Since the problem can be related to
something within the dog's physical profile, attempting
other forms of treatment can help the vet to isolate the
true cause of the problem, and whether or not it's
actually depression. The philosophy is that medication
should be the last resort, since, just as in the human
population, this can sometimes have adverse effects.
The actual diagnosis of depression in your dog can take
quite awhile to determine, and all three of you, the vet,
your pet and yourself, must work as a team in order to
find the answer to the problem. If your vet tries to
prescribe medication as soon as you present the dog and
describe its sudden behavior, then it's time to find a new
vet. A good vet won't jump to conclusions, and won't
dismiss your concerns as being silly or an exaggeration of
the facts.
If you know that you'll need to be separated from your pet
for awhile, try to put some plans into effect for helping
the animal to cope with your absence. Having the dog stay
with someone familiar and with whom he feels comfortable,
as well as leaving an item of your clothing that contains
your scent will help to ease the animal through the
transition. Before your departure, contact your vet for
further suggestions and to address any questions or
concerns that you may have.
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