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Prozac for dogs, my cocker spaniel was just put on it, she has been on it for 6 days now, I am worried for her
the vet put her on it for tail biting and itching, she is itching worse than ever and still tail biting, she is just a little over a year old and I think it is too young for prozac, it is scaring me. She has lost fur on her behind from the constant itching, but she has been checked for mites, ringworm, infection and bacteria, so she is okay there. How is the prozac supposed to stop the itch. I am giving her two tablets of benedryl a day also. Nothing is making her better. She eats Beneful dry for her diet. This is tearing me up she is my baby and I don't know how to help. I have tried aloe gel on the tail and area but nothing helps. The prozac dose is 10 mg a day, please give me your advice, thank you.
Asked by
Allie
on Sep 24th 2009
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in Illness & Disease
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Best Answer
I may be mistaken in the product, but doesn't Beneful dog food have grain in it? Lots of corn and wheat. If that's the case then you should switch her to a grain free dog food. Do it slow, but do it. You've got nothing to lose by at least trying it.
Lots of scratching that's not related to fleas or skin issues can also be caused by allergies. Grain is most common and chicken is also up there.
I had to switch my dog off of food that contained chicken and then anything that had turkey or duck since all three seem to be related in some way and made him itch like crazy. Once I switched to a lamb, beef, bison, venison, etc. based diet, within 2 weeks, no more scratching.
You've got nothing to lose by at least switching her diet and giving it a couple of weeks to see what happens.
I had a dog who scratched so much for so long that he wore down his small front teeth from it. I was clueless to having him eat a grain free diet. Wish I had. Could have saved him a lot of anguish.
answered on Sep 24th.
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Before I used prozac I would take my dog to a veterinary dermatologist for advice. It could be any type of allergy, food allergy would be high on the list since Beneful is not a highly rated dog food and contains ingredients which many dogs are allergic to. If she has an allergy then the prozac is not going to do anything to help the itching!
I would ask my vet for a referral to a veterinary dermatologist in the area. Good luck!
B.J., CGC
answered on 9/24/09.
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I would recommend a cone instead. Here's what I wrote for a question about a cone before:
I would recommend a cone. If you want a better cone than a hard, plastic one, then I would recommend a Comfy Cone. This link shows a video of how the Comfy Cone works:
petvideo.com
Here is the site for the Comfy Cone:
www.funstufffordogs.com
If you want a regular cone, you should be able to get one from your vet, but if not, here's a link to buy one, which come in a few sizes/colors. I like to decorate the cone with stickers so that it's still fun! Here's the link:
www.petsmart.com
Hope this helps, and if you need anything else, paw mail me!
Lots of Licks,
Jet
Jet
answered on 9/24/09.
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I would absolutely change to a grain free, allergy diet, no grocery store food!
Make sure she is getting enough exercise. The main cause of anxiety in dogs in BORDOM. Tired dogs are not bored, just asleep. It will make you feel better to get a walk too.
Do not share your anxiety with the dog! She feels all your worry.
Now - Mites are hard to diagnose. A negative skin scraping means the Vet may have missed them. Look for "pimples", white heads, little bug bites or what may look like a pricker stuck her and dragged or scraped her in a short line. Check her belly, armpits and inside back legs.
Pamela - Adopted!!!!
answered on 9/24/09.
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it might probably be psycological more than pathalogical. But do try new food as you were adviced by other owners. I have a cocker (thought still puppy) and I would never believe that dogs can be so energetic , nervous and anxious . Mine can never just relax, sit and do nothing. That is only when she sleeps .
could it be that you are away for many hours and she must put up being by herself ? did you had her neutralized?
meli
answered on 9/25/09.
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Your dog may have an allergy to it's food. Other pups mentioned it too, Beneful isn't the greatest food on the planet. It contains dyes and grains. Many dogs are allergic to grains.
All the prozac is attempting to do is calm her down and stop her from chewing onherself. You need to get to the source of her issue, and I would start with the food. Try "Life's Abundance" kibble. Many dog owners rave about how this one change in diet has changed their pets lives with itching and coat issues within one week. '
Just a footnote: prozac can also cause itching. It's one of the side effects of medication.
Boo
answered on 9/26/09.
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