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Sometimes, pets need anti-anxiety meds, too
A Weimeraner's temperament should be "friendly, fearless, alert and obedient." The breed is described in this fashion by the American Kennel Club.
Jasmine, a Weimeraner owned by Chelsea Robinson, a mental health addiction therapist, didn't read the book. Jasmine is 3 years old and at the very least, missed the chapter on obedience.
In the past three years, the 60-pound, friendly, fearless, alert pet has been anything but obedient. She has taken her frustrations out on her surroundings. When crated earlier in life, she would upset her crate, whine, cry and bark, strongly indicating to Chelsea that she didn't particularly enjoy crate confinement.
Even home confinement apparently was too claustrophobic for her when her owner wasn't around. She ate her owner's dog-proof microsuede couch. She pulled up the carpet. She tore down curtains and curtain rods. She opened child-proof cabinets. She ate the Christmas presents - package and all, including body lotions and baskets containing them. She got into a dozen Krispy Kremes, managing to close the box after she finished. She has chewed through doors. She almost did herself in last year when she chewed a hole in a wall, swallowing drywall, insulation and screws, necessitating major surgery.
Anytime that Jasmine was left by herself, she damaged property. She had a bad case of separation anxiety. Jasmine's housemate, another Weimeraner named Morgan, was quite the opposite and never caused any problems.
Jasmine was fortunate to have such an understanding, caring owner. Many people would have attempted to find another home for their pet. Not so for Chelsea!
I believe that being a mental health therapist allowed her to have a better understanding of Jasmine's nature. Pets can have mental problems, too. One of my own pets, Millie, has storm phobias. She trembles and won't leave my side if a storm is approaching. If it storms during the night, she simply stands over me in bed and drools. Putting her in the bathroom, closing the door and turning a radio on loudly is the only thing that helps.
Chelsea had tried giving Jasmine tranquilizers. Even though they quieted Jasmine down a bit, they didn't solve her problem. As a last resort, I prescribed a human dose of 20 mg of Prozac daily to see if it might have an effect on Jasmine's behavior. A week later, I received a call from Chelsea. She excitedly reported that Jasmine was not the same restless, destructive dog that she had been the past few years. She was calm! A person could sit next to Chelsea without Jasmine feeling as if she had to sit in between them. She could be left at home all day, and the entire home would be in the same condition in which it had been left.
Pets, like people, can have mental problems. Very often, behavior modification is useful when applied with anti-anxiety or calming medications. For Jasmine, Prozac seems to be the answer. We'll probably never know what caused Jasmine's predictable destructive behavior. But we do know Prozac can be a wonder drug for four-footed creatures, as well as for their two-footed counterparts. And for that, Chelsea (and her veterinarian) is very thankful!
Speaking for Alex this week is Dr. Larry Baker, who practices small animal medicine and veterinary dentistry at 2800 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Decatur. To submit a question, write to Ask Alex, c/o Herald & Review, Box 311, Decatur, IL 62625 or e-mail jmatherly@herald-review.com.
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