Use of fluoxetine,diazepam, and behavior modification as therapy for treatment of anxiety-related disorders in dogs

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of fluoxetine, diazepam, and behavior modification for the treatment of a variety of anxiety disorders in dogs of different breeds, ages, and sexes that presented to a university veterinary behavior clinic. Forty dogs were enrolled in the study, and 34 completed it. The dogs were grouped into 2 major diagnostic categories, aggressive and anxious, according to the presenting signs. Moreover, the dogs further subdivided into 4 groups: neutered, intact, juveniles, and adults. Diazepam was administered orally, at a dosage of 0.3 mg/kg once a day for 4 weeks; fluoxetine was administered orally at a dosage of 1 mg/kg once a day for 10 weeks. The drugs were started simultaneously. The owners were given a behavior modification plan for their dogs that started from the first week of therapy. The behavior of the subjects was evaluated at 3 points in time. Clinical response was assessed by the supervising veterinarian and the owners. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the groups studied in relation to the improvement achieved. There was a positive correlation (r > 0.44) between owner compliance with the treatment and the values obtained for the improvement achieved for each period. Clinical signs largely improved or were eliminated in 13 dogs (38%), 8 dogs (26%) showed moderate improvement, 5 dogs (12%) were slightly improved, and there were 8 dogs (24%) with no changes in clinical signs.     

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE SCINTIGRAPHIC MEASUREMENT OF RENAL FUNCTION IN DOGS EXPOSED TO TOXIC DOSES OF GENTAMICIN

Five, 3-month-old mongrel dogs weighing between 4.5 to 5.5 kg were studied to evaluate and compare the efficiency of 99mTc-DTPA, 99mTc-MAG3, and 99mTc-DMSA in detecting gentamicin-induced renal tubular injury. After baseline renograms using all three methods, all dogs received daily intramuscular injections of gentamicin at a dose of 30-45 mg/kg. Additional studies were obtained after a cumulative dose of 450, 1,575, and 2,250 mg of gentamicin was reached. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), and percentage of total renal uptake measurements were calculated. Baseline and post-gentamicin injection blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine values were determined. A Duncan test revealed significant renal function impairment at 450 mgs of cumulated gentamicin with 99mTc-DMSA and at 1,575 mgs of cumulated gentamicin for 99mTc-DTPA and 99mTc-MAG3. There was no correlation between BUN and serum creatinine values when compared to gentamicin (p > 0.05). The images obtained with 99mTc-MAG3 were of better quality than those obtained with 99mTc-DTPA even under severe renal dysfunction. Percentage of 99mTc-DMSA uptake indicated renal damage, before than GFR and ERPF. BUN and serum creatinine measurements were poor indicators of gentamicin-induced renal failure.     

Fluoxetine combined with clorazepate dipotassium and behaviour modification for treatment of anxiety-related disorders in dogs

The effectiveness of clorazepate dipotassium combined with fluoxetine and a behaviour modification programme for the treatment of anxiety disorders in dogs was investigated. Forty dogs with anxiety disorders were initially enrolled and 36 dogs completed the trial. Dogs were classified into two behavioural categories (anxious dogs with aggression and anxious dogs without aggression) according to their presenting complaints, and were also subdivided into males, females, juveniles and adults. The dog owners were provided with a behaviour modification plan for their dogs to be commenced in the first week of therapy. Clorazepate dipotassium was administered PO at 1.0 mg/kg every 24 h for 4 weeks, and fluoxetine was administered PO at 1.0 mg/kg every 24 h for 10 weeks. Therapy with both drugs was initiated simultaneously. Improvement was reported in 25/36 dogs. Significant differences in treatment effects were observed between anxious dogs with aggression and anxious dogs without aggression (P < 0.05). Positive correlations between owner compliance with the treatment plan and reported improvement achieved during three periods of study were also noted.