Earlier this year my vet, who has been my vet for the last 15 years, saw my cat for her yearly physical. I was depressed at the time, and she said my depression was making the cat depressed and wanted to put her on kitty Prozac. I had a miserable time on Prozac, and frankly, the only thing I would ever want my cat to take is catnip.

I've given kitty lots of love, tlc and Pounces, and she is fine. No Prozac needed, and one happy and loved pussy cat.

I think it is just plain cruel to drug a pet solely to shape their behavior in order to fit an owner's desire for the perfect pet. Invest in a dog trainer for cripe's sake!!!

I had a horrible reaction to Prozac and cannot imagine subjecting an animal to a mind altering drug. The thought makes me sick!

"Reconcile" is just another pharma marketing agency score. As I've written before, "Pharma wants your pets too"!

Worst part is: vets don't understand psych meds in a pet brain let alone in a human one, and the pets have a shorter lifespan, so the story goes on and on....

Firstly I thought animals had a different brain that humans. Secondly toxic effects in animals have been noted.Thirdly isn't the dog/cat a carnivor? We humans are omnivores doesn't this affect consumption/absorption of the drug? If this works on the mind of an animal (in a good way) then that would be great to dispel my cynical belief about the true effectiveness of the drugs/meds.

Lastly, what about withdrawal effects ( will the dog/cat get irrationally aggressive and uncontrollable?)[could it lead to the pet being euthanized?]and will perminate brain chemistry changes take place?

Prozac for dogs is no worse an idea than Prozac for humans as long as it is used responsibly and correctly, by appropriately experienced veterinary surgeons, as part of a behavioral modification programmed where adequate resolution of the dog's unwanted behavior cannot be achieved by appropriately skilled behavioral modification alone.
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Andersom smith
Addiction Recovery Iowa

Prozac used responsibly? that just gave me a good laugh!

If you've missed my other comments, I am a licensed veterinary technician with over 18 years of experience, both clinically and in research (including pyscho pharmacology. Hey, I'm not only the president, I'm also a member!)

What we need to remember is that Prozac and many of these other drugs -were- tested on animals before use in humans. For example, most of the early work on prozac was with rats in what we call the "open field" test, which means that a "non-stressed" rat will stay out in the open, while a "normal" rat will hug the corners. Also, for most drugs, there MUST be studies in higher mammals, usually non-human primates, before a drug can be marketed.

Does this tell us that the drugs are effective in these species? Hell no. Who can define "stress" in a rat? And is it the same as my stress? Or yours??

What I do know is this, both through study and experience: Drugs have different side effects in different species. Some drugs that are routinely prescribed in vet med -can- have behavioral side effects, such as certain antibiotics. But they are still prescribed. Also, most vets don't allow for unique side effects due to poly-pharmacology (which is more in the mind of human patients...)

But I have seen amazing responses clinically in animals treated with various psychopharm agents, including some antihistamines. So, hey, just like my Cymbalta and Lamictal and CBT therapy, if it works and it doesn't hurt, keep at it. And if it keeps a pet from being euthanized, so be it.

I'm more than willing to discuss this in detail if anyone has the interest.

Regards.