Murph On Meds

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Well Murphy has been on the "doggie Prozac" for just over a week now, and it has definitely had an effect.  I'm not exactly sure what to think about it.  This will give you an idea of how he has spent most of this past week....Or sometimes he looks like this...

He is clearly WAY more relaxed....but I'm just not sure this is a good thing.  I really didn't expect him to be this wiped out.  Yesterday was a beautiful day and we did go for a nice long off-leash hike, but then he came home and slept the rest of the day and night  He has lost his "strut".  He just kind of mopes around.  There are no more worries about our son, Tim.  Murph barely lifts his head up to look at him.  He's also cut way back on his eating.....maybe because of the meds but maybe because he's just so inactive.  I just don't know what to think about this whole thing.  Guinness is also pretty confused.  He tries to get Murph to play but most of the time he just won't get up from his bed.  This morning I got the toys out and he did play for about 10 minutes, but then he was done.  The Vet said that we had to wait two full weeks before making adjustments (unless he had diarrhea or vomiting).  That would be next Wednesday.  Does anyone have any thoughts on this?  Any other dogs on antidepressants have these types of symptoms at the beginning?  Lethargy and appetite loss are listed as side effects, but I wasn't expecting it to be to this degree.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I always think you say the right thing, so this is a big compliment to me :) Thank you!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Jane, I have to say Murph looks so relaxed, I'm getting sleepy :) I had the same thought as Joanne and Karen. His body and mind must have been so exhausted, it must feel good to sleep. I don't have any experience with dogs on these meds, but others do, and it sounds promising. We'll keep big Murph in our thoughts. I can only imagine what Guiness is thinking :)

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I know it is probably hard to see him acting so different, but I think I would try to stick with it a bit and then maybe ask the vet about lowering the dosage if things don't improve.  Keep us updated please.

[Ann ~Oliver & Rosie]

Jane, Like everyone is saying, Murphy needs a little time to adjust to the meds. As they always say, Medicine is an art, not just a science. I'm sure they will be adjusting the dose , but if they make to many changes at once, you don't know which one worked...  it certainly seems to have taken the edge off, couldn't we all use a good sleep like this now and then.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Jane, I too see this as a time and patience thing as well as a relief for Murphy. I am a big believer in medications and have seen first hand and with family members the positive effects of theses types of drugs. When we finally gave in and medicated our son with ADHD he actually THANKED me for giving his "brain a rest" . He was 6 yrs old at the time. It can sometimes take a lot of trial and error. Don't worry, your vet doesn't want to see him like this either, but knows the side effects will get better with time, or they will adjust the dose. Hang in there girlfriend and thanks for giving Murphy's "brain a rest" .:)

[Katie and Sophie]

Hang in there!  medications take time and adjustment.  I think that he was stuck in his own head so much before that this is a relief for him.  He was so hyper-vigilant that it must have been exhausting and this is just his body recharging from the stress.  Like when people get a "crash" after they drink an energy drink type of thing.  Keep us updated!

[Camilla and Darwin]

I agree with Joanne. Give it a bit, maybe adjust the dosage down a bit? 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Jane,

We had to titrate with Starlit.   She started on 25 for a month, then 50 for a month, then 100mgs.

100mg worked for a year but then became  too much.  We weaned her to 75mg, then down to 50mg.  The behaviors were worse-Under the table, terribly frightened, would not void for 3 days, and again unpredictable in her moods.  We went up 25mg slowly again and PERFECT.   She played, she could ride in cars, she could go on social outings, she could go over and play with the neighbors, and she could eat.  We found a good place for her at 75mg

You never know.  This may not be the medication for Murphy.  There are others out there that are also successful.  Time will tell and you will know.