Posts tagged "aggression"

Fluoxetine is a veterinary drug used to relieve separation anxiety in household dogs. As part of a Paw Nation series providing background about the medical problems your pet may suffer, we spoke to Dr. Butch Schroyer, owner/operator of the Animal Care Clinic in Lexington, Ky., to get some insights about the drug. You should always consult your veterinarian before giving medicine or supplements to your pet.

What is fluoxetine?
Fluoxetine is our Prozac. That's what it boils down to ... doggy Prozac. Fluoxetine is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, or SSRI, which are a group of drugs used in humans to address depression, anxiety disorders, compulsive disorders, and difficulty in managing aggression. In the veterinary world fluoxetine is one of the few drugs approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of separation anxiety in dogs. While many veterinarians use it to treat this type of behavior in both dogs and cats, these are "off-label" uses not formally approved by the FDA.

Amy D. Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant and the award-winning author of 23 pet care books, including "PETiQuette: Solving Behavior Problems in Your Multipet Household."

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We want dogs to love us, but snarls, growls or (heaven forbid!) bites are dangerous and make it hard to love them back. But dogs aren't evil and you are not a bad owner if you have a growly dog. Forty percent of dogs have growled at their owners at one time or another.

There are many kinds of aggression and, depending on the circumstances, some are normal. It's good to understand that growly dogs believe they have a good reason to aggress, whether owners agree, but it still should be dealt with. Sudden changes in your dog's behavior should be checked by a veterinarian, because aggression can be prompted by pain or health issues. Aggression can be complicated and require professional help, but here's how to recognize five common types and learn how to keep the peace.

1. Play aggression looks scary but dogs tell each other it's just pretend by using gestures like the play bow (butt up, front down). Puppies learn to inhibit bites when they play with other dogs, and owners also can teach limits.

If the mouthing hurts, yelp like another puppy. Whimper and say, "You hurt me." Immediately after you yelp, give the dog a 10-minute time-out -- no mouthing allowed -- to teach him that hard bites end the fun.

What animal lover hasn't daydreamed about ditching their desk job and applying for a job at the zoo? Or at a doggy daycare? Or tracking gorillas in Africa? We sure have, but since most of us may never actually get to work with the animals we love, we thought we'd introduce you to a few people who do.

Name: Mieshelle Nagelschneider
Age: 39
Job: Cat Behaviorist, The Cat Behavior Clinic

How did you decide to become a cat behaviorist?
It all started when I was about four and living on our Oregon farm. I wanted to be Snow White -- not because of the prince, but because she could talk to animals! Throughout my childhood I surrounded myself with animals of every kind. By the time I graduated from high school I was a vet tech, and I began to realize that I understood animals' motivations and feelings almost instinctively. Before long, I was doing house calls for clients, solving behavioral problems and quickly becoming referred by vets all across the United States.

What is your training/educational background?
Close observation and self-study all my life, combined with coursework in psychology in Oregon and animal cognition at Harvard.

How long have you been working with cats?
About 20 years. I've helped literally thousands of cats.

Do you need to see a cat in person to treat it?
No. The cat owner can schedule a phone consultation online, and is then sent a feline behavior questionnaire to complete. During the phone consultation, I evaluate in depth the cat's history, current environment, and the nature of the behavior issue. Once the behavior issue is identified, I develop a customized three-part C.A.T. Plan, which the owner follows for 4 - 6 weeks. They then have a free follow-up with me. The behavioral methods are humane, drug-free, and lasting in their results. That's key. We have a very, very high rate of success.

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