Prozac for our Zoe

[Sari Brafman]

Hi All-

I posted a while back about an issue we were having with our 4 year old female Goldendoodle, Zoe....

She had been obsessively licking an area on her back leg ONLY when she was left alone for the past year. She has spent about a year in a cone whenever we are not home to prevent her from getting to her leg. We had her allergy tested to see if that could have been what was causing the licking, and she came back negative to everything. Our Vet diagnosed her with OCD/separation anxiety and put her on Xanax, which did not work. We ordered a Hock Sock from a website to cover the area of her leg and that only worked for about a week. She figured out how to undo the velcro and licked/chewed her leg until it was raw.  

Our vet called in a prescription of Prozac and Zoe is set to take the first dose tomorrow. Has anyone else given their dog Prozac, and if so, did it work for you?

I've done a bit of research and it seems that this is our last option...

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Sounds encouraging!  Fingers crossed the cone can be benched! 

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I haven't given prozac to a dog, but I know that it will take about a month for it to make a difference if there is going to be one at all.

I would also suggest to monitor her heart rate in secrecy when you leave and when she is performing the activity. I don't know if there are special doggy beta-blockers (they help slow the heart rate some and keep in stable), but this could also be an option along with the prozac (just give one before you leave).

[Sari Brafman]

Unfortunately it doesn't look like the Prozac worked. Zoe has been on it for 6 weeks as of Tuesday and today I left her alone without a cone for 2 hours. I came home and she licked her leg raw again. I am so sad and feel like we are out of options for her. She is going to have to continue being in a cone while we are not home. I am worried that one day she is going to try to get out of it and hurt herself. I left a message for our vet who will call back on Monday. Has anyone had any experience with a problem like this? We have literally tried everything. Daycare is not an option because of her bad skin and it being irritated with rough play. Any help is appreciated. 

[Deborah Brown]

What dosage is she on and what does she weigh?  There are other medications too.  You are looking for help with separation anxiety, right?  Have you tried any training/therapy?  Medication alone might not be enough.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Sari, your vet may want to switch medications, increase the dose... etc.  Sometimes these medications need titrated to get the right dosage. Glad you called the vet. I am certain he will either increase or change.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm wondering what kind of allergy testing was done. This is peak ragweed season, and a lot of dogs are having trouble with this right now. I just wonder if the leg licking might be an allergy after all, in which case prozac wouldn't help. 

If the testing was blood or saliva testing, be aware that those are notoriously inaccurate. The only reliable allergy testing is skin scratch testing done under anesthetic, typically by a veterinary dermatologist.

[Sari Brafman]

Zoe is on 30mg and weighs 60lbs. She has no allergies. Test have confirmed it and she only chews/licks the leg when she is left alone. It is irritated now and she still doesn't touch it when we are home. I spoke to my vet on Monday and she said that besides increasing the Prozac there is not much else she can offer us. She referred me to an animal behaviorist over at UF since we are in close proximity to the university. I left a message for the behaviorist and I am waiting to hear back. Has anyone used a behaviorist before? I am curious to hear what thoughts are on it. Right now Zoe is back in her cone while we are not home. I am at least happy to see that she doesn't mind me putting it on her. She eagerly wags and waits for her cookie when it is put on. I think she has gotten very used to it and it probably bothers me more than it bothers her! I am so frustrated with the whole situation and just feel so bad for her. Does anyone know of any rear leg coverage that they have used with success? We have tried the hock sock, vet wrap and all sprays...Zoe is smart enough to unwrap anything on her and isn't the least bit put off by bad tasting things. Help!

[Deborah Brown]

That's a pretty average dosage for that size dog.  She could definitely go higher.  I wonder, however, if it makes sense unless you are seeing other general anxiety.  A behaviorist is the best way to go.  Hopefully you will find someone who can evaluate the medication and other means of dealing with the separation anxiety.

I'm glad that Zoe isn't too upset about wearing the cone.  She probably just sleeps while you are gone since you've taken away her entertainment.