by Jennifer Sharpe
Iwas babysitting at my brother’s house for
a weekend, which meant caring for two
young nieces and Louie, their French bulldog. Louie has been a part of the family for eight years. He has moved from an apartment to a house and has watched the family grow with the births of the two girls. He has always seemed like a healthy and happy dog.
So I was surprised to see that his care plan included a fluoxetine pill in his morning meal. When I asked my sister-in-law what the medication was for, she replied, “Oh, that’s Louie’s Prozac.”
Did Louie have anxiety, I wondered, putting the pieces of the puzzle together in my head. Yes, he had been exhibiting more frequent mounting behavior recently.
The reality is that pets suffer from anxiety just as humans do. A 2020 study of more than 13,000 dog owners found that 72.5 percent of the pets exhibited problematic, anxiety-related traits (https://www. nature.com/articles/s41598-020-59837-z). According to an online article, veterinarians say about 20 percent to 25 percent
of their feline patients exhibit anxious behaviors (https://www.veterinarians.org/ cat-anxiety/).
Does My Dog or Cat Have Anxiety?
Our pets can’t tell us with words how they feel, so it’s important to look for behavioral clues.
Dr. Annie Downs of Sunset Veterinary Clinic in Edmond said situational anxiety in pets is quite prevalent in her practice. She commonly sees pets with separation anxiety, which leads to their being destructive at home.
“I also see pet behaviors that are related to more situational anxiety, such as hiding, shaking, seeming nervous during storms, fireworks, even coming to the clinic,” Downs said.
In dogs, signs and symptoms include aggression, urinating or defecating in the house, drooling, panting, depression, excessive barking, pacing, restlessness, and repetitive or compulsive behaviors. “One of the things that we hear the most is destructive behavior,” said Dr. Tembra
Gatlin, medical director of VCA Owasso Animal Medical Center.
In cats, the signs can be subtle. Look for trembling, withdrawal and hiding, becoming less active, trying to escape, destructive or aggressive behavior, diarrhea, failure to use the litter box, and sores or lesions caused by overgrooming.
“With cats, anxiety can be harder to detect because they can hide it a lot more,” said Downs. “Often, it manifests as urinary issues. Sometimes male cats can get blocked because they are so stressed. They also can get more aggressive.”
My Pet Might Have Anxiety — Now What?
If you think your pet has anxiety, first schedule a visit with your veterinarian. “Just like people, pets are going to have some level of anxiety or emotional reactions to things,” said Gatlin. “Once it starts to affect the pet’s everyday life or the human’s everyday life, it’s time to seek help.”
Both Downs and Gatlin agree that treating anxiety is not just about administering
18 OKC Pets • March / April 2024
medications. The care your animal receives should address potential causes of anxiety and include behavioral modifications as part of a well-rounded treatment plan. “Bring the trainer in or desensitize pets to what causes the anxiety,” said Downs. “Medication is not usually my first pick. There are calming treats, pheromone products, even calming probiotics. There are definitely steps before medication.” Gatlin said, “When we’ve tried to alter what’s going on at home, with kennels or bedding or food or litter boxes, when those things we try at home don’t work, then we consider medication. Usually, it’s a multimodal approach, where some things change at home plus medication.” Several medication options are available for treating anxiety. Fluoxetine, known by the brand names Prozac or Reconcile for pets, is commonly used. Other drugs prescribed for dogs and cats include but are not limited to trazodone, gabapentin, and the natural remedy Zylkene.
How Do These Drugs Work?
Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs work to keep the brain stocked with serotonin, a feel-good
chemical, by preventing nerve cells from taking back what has already been released. The increased amount of serotonin in the brain improves mood. Trazodone is part of another drug group, serotonin receptor antagonist reuptake inhibitors (SARIs). SARIs not only stop the reabsorption of serotonin as SSRIs do but also block certain receptors in the brain that serotonin attaches to. This allows the body to increase the total amount of serotonin in the central nervous system. Gabapentin mimics the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a natural chemical in the brain. It calms excited neurons that induce pain signals and seizures. Zylkene is not a sedative or painkiller. It’s a “natural supplement and has fewer side effects,” said Gatlin. It is made from a type of casein protein typically found in mammal milk and has antianxiety properties.
What Are the Possible Side Effects?
As with humans, medications for pets come with side effects. Although they vary depending on the specific type of drug, the most common issues, according to Downs
and Gatlin, are gastrointestinal problems or excessive sleepiness. “Not every medication is going to work for every pet, so we need to find out what works best for the owner and what works best for the pet,” said Gatlin. Downs said, “My top medication I prescribe is trazodone, at least a couple of times a week. Trazodone is quick acting and does really well for issues like thunderstorms or fear of the vet. I like fluoxetine — it just takes longer to see effects. Gabapentin is my top anxiety medication for cats.” It is important to discuss side effects with your veterinarian before starting your pet on medication. Monitor your pet’s reactions to any drugs, and follow up with the doctor throughout the course of treatment. Treatment is specific to the pet and the situation. Gatlin explained, “In a home with small kids, the noise level is high. We may treat that pet more aggressively starting off on fluoxetine or some type of medication rather than more walks or outside time.”
