|
|
|
auctions - advertising rates -
site news -
help -
contact
| |
|
Tuesday: 9-10 PM ET: Open Dog Chat - Pet Loss
|
Posted by Lynn on January 23, 2003 at 18:39:45:
In Reply to: Alternative to Drugs? posted by fullottermoon on January 23, 2003 at 03:14:31:
St. John's Wort, Bach Rescue Remedy, Melatonin and the TCM remedy Anmien Pien are all prescribed for animals. St. John's Wort might as well be classified with the serotonin affecting drugs as that's how it acts, herbal or not. The other 3 are more along the lines of calmatives. A few years ago Kava Kava was very widely used but it has been shown to do nasty things to the liver, and is hardly ever prescribed. Valerian root extract, essential oil, and powders are also used.
Given that the other option to many animals that are prescribed psychotropic drugs is euthanasia, there isn't much attention given to the longterm effects. The animal would likely be dead anyway. Serotonin imbalance is gaining recognition as an organic cause of behavior and mental issues in dogs. With the acceptance of this diagnosis, SSRI's are being diagnosed more frequently. In my breed, greyhounds, "spookiness" is very much inherited in racing lines. There is no doubt that this type of dog has an imbalance due to genetic factors. Such dogs are not usually bred.
Lynn