Fluoxetine is an antidepressant belonging to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Fluoxetine requires a prescription from your veterinarian.
For: Cats and Dogs
Benefits:
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Helps with obsessive compulsive behaviors such as tail chasing in dogs, or constant licking in dogs and cats, and other behavioral disorders which are otherwise common causes for veterinary visits
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Easy to administer
How it works: Fluoxetine affects chemicals in the brain that can cause depression, panic, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive behaviors.
Cautions: Avoid giving other medicines that can make your pet sleepy (cold or allergy medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxants, seizure medicine, or other medications for depression or anxiety). Do not give Reconcile if your pet is using an MAO inhibitor such as Anipryl, selegiline, Preventic Collar, or Mitaban Dip. Side effects that may occur include rash, hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. If these or any other side effects occur, stop giving your pet Fluoxetine and contact your veterinarian.
More Information:
Brand Name Prozac (Dista), Reconcile (Lilly)
Generic Name Fluoxetine (flew-ox-a-teen) HCl
What is the most important information I should know about fluoxetine: Do not give fluoxetine with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as Anipryl, selegiline, Preventic Collar or Mitaban Dip. Call your veterinarian at once if new or worsening symptoms such as mood or behavior changes, anxiety, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, hostile behavior, aggression, restlessness, hyperactivity. Notify your veterinarian if your pet is pregnant, if you are planning to breed your pet, or if your pet is lactating.
What is fluoxetine: Fluoxetine is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI¿s). Fluoxetine affects chemicals in the brain that cause depression, panic, anxiety, or obsession-compulsion. Fluoxetine is a prescription medication used in dogs and cats for the treatment of canine aggression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Fluoxetine is available as 10mg tablets and 20mg capsules. The usual dose is dependant on the condition being treated and the animal's response to treatment. It may take up to 3 or 4 weeks before the medication becomes effective.
What should I discuss with my veterinarian before giving fluoxetine: Do not give fluoxetine if your pet is using and MAO inhibitor such as Anipryl, selegiline, Preventic Collar, or Mitaban Dip. Serious and sometimes fatal reactions can occur when these medications are taken with fluoxetine. You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you can give fluoxetine. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping fluoxetine before you can give an MAOI. Tell your veterinarian if your pet is allergic to any medications of if your pet has liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, or seizures. Fluoxetine should not be given to pregnant or lactating animals.
How should this medication be given: Give fluoxetine exactly as prescribed by your veterinarian. If you do not understand the directions ask your pharmacist or veterinarian to explain them to you. Do not give larger amounts or give it for longer than recommended by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may occasionally change the dose to achieve the best result. It may take 3 to 4 weeks or longer before fluoxetine takes effect. Do not stop using fluoxetine without first consulting with your veterinarian. Unpleasant side effects can occur if the medication is stopped suddenly. Store fluoxetine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep this medication away from children and other pets.
What happens if I miss giving a dose: Give the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed the missed dose and give the next one as directed. Do not give a double dose of the medication.
What happens if I overdose the pet: Contact your veterinarian or veterinary emergency room. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, fever, sleepiness, rapid or uneven heartbeat, panting and irritability, confusion, fainting, seizures, and coma.
What should I avoid while giving fluoxetine to my pet: Avoid giving other medicines that can make the pet sleepy such as; cold or allergy medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, seizure medicine, or other medications for depression or anxiety. Tell your veterinarian if you give your pet any of these medications regularly.
What are the possible side effects of fluoxetine: If any of the following serious side effects occur, stop giving fluoxetine and seek emergency veterinary medical attention; an allergic reaction (skin rash or hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat). Call your veterinarian at once if your pet has any new or worsening symptoms such as mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, hostility, aggression, restlessness, hyperactivity, or increased depression. Call your veterinarian at once if your pet has any serious side effects such as; seizures (convulsions); tremors, shivering, muscle stiffness or twitching; a red, blistering, peeling skin rash; problems with balance or coordination; or agitation, confusion, sweating, fast heartbeat. Less serious side effects may include drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, changes in appetite, weight changes, dry mouth. Other side effects may also occur. Talk to your veterinarian about any side effect that seems unusual or bothersome to the animal.
What other drugs will affect fluoxetine: Talk to your veterinarian before giving your pet any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes carprofen, piroxicam, etodolac, and others. Giving any of these medications with fluoxetine may cause the pet to bruise or bleed easily. Before giving fluoxetine, tell your veterinarian if your pet is being given digoxin, diazepam (Valium), phenytoin (Dilantin), warfarin (Coumadin), amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil). Drugs other than those listed may also interact with fluoxetine. Talk to your veterinarian or pharmacist before giving any prescription or over the counter medicines including herbal supplement.
Where can I get more information: Your pharmacist has additional information about fluoxetine written for health professionals that you may read.
Call your veterinarian for medical advice about any side effects to your pet. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Directions:
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Fluoxetine is an antidepressant drug in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).
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Fluoxetine is available by prescription and is used to treat separation anxiety and obsessive compulsive behaviors in dogs and inappropriate elimination in cats.
Tip: Do not give larger amounts or give for longer than recommended by your veterinarian. It may take 3 to 4 weeks or longer before Fluoxetine takes effect. Do not stop Fluoxetine without first consulting with your veterinarian.
Dosage:
Pet
Weight
Dosage
Dogs/Cats:
All weights
Dosage is dependent on the condition being treated, the animal’s response to treatment, and the development of any adverse effects. Give exactly as directed by your veterinarian
Horses:
Storage: Store this medication at room temperature away from heat and moisture.
Have a 12 year old poodle mix who has separation anxiety - making messes on the floor when I leave, also scratching on doors, etc. The Fluextine only caused more messes - couldn't control because he was so lethargic. Also caused shaking. Am weaning him off the meds now. He was better off without it.
My sheltie has been diagnosed with severe Obessive Compulsive Disorder. She paces non stop, barks constantly, runs the fences, spins non stop (sort of like tail chasing) to the point of passing out in the backyard among many other behaviors. I have tried numerous different medications, Chlomipramine, Xanax, Valium and nothing has helped. Finally my vet started her on Prozac, it has been a lifesend. She still has her moments and certainly is still obsessive but it has calmed her down enough that she can relax and lay down without feeling anxious. I would definitely recommend this to someone who may be going through issues of OCD with their dog. This is the only thing that has worked!
We adopted a 10 month old Pointer mix from a shelter which had just emptied out a horrid puppy mill. Our dog was a mess at the shelter (absolutely terrified--he could not stop peeing on himself) and we knew we were the right people to adopt such a traumatized dog. He hid under a chair and peed in fear at his first obedience class and the trainer sugested we speak to the vet about Prozac. Our lovable 60 pound Pointer now takes 60 mg. of Prozac a day (40 mg in day and 20 mg at night) and it has helped tremendously. He was then easily housetrained, learned to go up and down stairs, is sociable with other dogs, and learning to be more trusting of people. Every week he shows progress. I had an aggressive dog on Prozac in the past and it helped her too (though not enough to ever make her a truly safe dog.) I am very pleased with how it has helped our very fearful traumatized puppy mil rescue and he will stay on it as long as he needs to.
Our dog Gracie was put on a very low dose of this medication to help with her generalized and separation anxiety. Although it did help with the anxiety, it made her fearful of odd things like her food. She stopped eating for nearly 5 days and would run from her food. Our vet suggested we stop the drug to see if the appetite improved, and within 24 hours, she was eating like normal. We were disappointed because it was doing such great things for her anxiety. We just need to find another option.
My cat was so stressed with our move and the addition of the dogs to the household he was getting constant bladder infections and irritated bladder lining. He destroyed nearly all our carpet. On these meds he is much less stressed and more friendly. We're all much happier. I put it in a pill pocket and he eats it right down. It must have some taste since every once in a while he'll nibble the treat off and leave the pill. I highly recommend this med.
I'm thinking of taking both of my dogs to get perscribed this pill. We live in a townhouse with our landlords living upstairs. They bark constantly when we leave and I think they have seperation anxiety.
We already tried keeping them in our basement but they just foam at the mouth and drool everywhere because they don't like it down there. We also have shock collars but they always seem to loosen up and move to a part of their neck that won't allow the shock to occur.
I never heard of this medication for dogs until now. Do you think I should give it to them?
Your veterinarian would need to prescribe Prozac (fluoxetine). You cannot just purchase it over the counter. In addition, medications such as fluoxetine are usually used in combination with a behavior modification program.
Would the water compound be stable for 4 days? My vet is OK with dissolving the 10 mg tablets and giving 1/2 each day. The difference in cost between tabs and caps is amazing.
4 months, 3 weeks ago
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Anonymous
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Absolutely not! No tablet should ever be mixed in water as a form to dilute its potency. The only way to get the potency needed is to have the formula needed mixed by a professional.
Is it allright to give my 16 year old cat prozac for urinating on the rug. We've had him checked at the vet and nothing is wrong with him. So they think this is a behavior problem.
I think he's just a dominat cat and I have a 2 year female. He just started doing it. Would the prozac be harmful to him.
5 months, 3 weeks ago
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Anonymous
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Comfort Zone did NOT work for us. We still have an aggression problem. Our fighting tomcats will be starting prozac in a few days. Hopefully this will work.
Fluoxetine can be used to treat behavioral issues in cats. Whether this drug is indicated for your cat would be up to your veterinarian. You may want to consider using Comfort Zone for Cats. This is a plug-in containing facial pheromone produced from cats. It is available over the counter without a prescription. It is used to reduce or stop stress-related behavior, including urine marking.
I believe you're saying you have a compounded fluoxetine that is applied to the pet's ear. If I understand correctly, it may take as long as 2 or 3 weeks before you see any change in the pet's behavior.
I have a lab that takes 80mg a day of prozac.Will that make him slow down because when we go for long walks he seems to have slow down a bit. Keeps on stoping and laying down. The prozac has helped him alot but I love taking him for walks and he loves it to.
Fluoxetine is dosed based on the weight of the pet and how severe the symptoms are. I can't tell you if 80 mg is too much because I don't have enough information. However, fluoxetine can cause drowsiness or sluggishness as a side effect. If you think the pet may getting too much of a dose, don't do any adjusting yourself, but discuss your pet's sluggishness with your veterinarian and see what he/she says.
This information sheet is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet. It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for services provided by your veterinarian. Note: Any trademarks are the property of their respective companies.
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