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     Buy It For Less At...  |
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Buy It For Less At... |
You may have just recently seen articles in the local newspapers or on news channels regarding the approval of two drugs for use in dogs in the United States. Clomicalm (Novartis) is a FDA-approved drug used in human patients to treat depression and is now approved for use to treat separation anxiety in dogs!! The second drug, Anipryl (Pfizer) is already approved for use in dogs for the treatment of Cushing's disease, has now been approved for use in the treatment of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) otherwise known as "dog senility".
Dogs have shown remarkable similarities to people when they age regarding the loss (or progressive loss) of seemingly "normal" functions such as orientation, memory, learning ability, house-training, etc. and dysfunction means an impairment in these abilities.
Clinic signs of CDS can be:
* disorientation
* loss of house-training (house-soiling)
* disturbance in sleep/wake cycles
* excessive vocalization
* increased irritability
* less interest in socialization with owners
* "clingy-ness"
* staring into space
* separation anxiety
* panic attacks
These signs can intensify with age and (are usually seen in animals 15 years or older but are seen in smaller percentages in animals 10-15 years old) and can become more severe or progressive.
Owners must keep in mind that there are many medical causes for the above "symptoms" and these must be ruled out before a diagnosis of CDS is made. A blind or deaf animal may not be acting normally because it cannot see or hear you--not because it has CDS. This is why a complete physical exam (including neuorological exam), bloodwork (CBC, full biochemistry profile + thyroid), and a urinalysis, are the minimum required to rule out medically-oriented problems and more testing may result should abnormalities in these parameters exist. The blood tests are also necessary in order to establish overall medical condition prior to starting any medications. There can be side effects with any medication and this must be evaluated and well monitored.
There are also many causes of anxiety that can be medically oriented or can come from changes in the pet's environment or routine. Drug therapy alone may not be effective in controlling anxiety or CDS. When added to drug therapy, behavioral counseling and modification greatly increase the positive outcome of therapy and are recommended as a mandatory part of successful treatment. Ask your veterinarian about these drugs and treatment options today!
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