Following your pet’s latest check-up, your veterinarian may recommend giving them some behavior modification meds. If this is the first your veterinarian has made a recommendation, you might be unsure which drugs to give to your cat or dog.
It’s always good to know about the medication being given to your pets. We can help you with that.
Keep going with this article so you can learn more about the behavior modification meds that are commonly prescribed to cats and dogs. Find out what those meds are for and discover the benefits they could give to your furry friend.
Anti-Depressants
Depression is a condition that isn’t unique to humans. Our pets may also suffer from that mental condition.
Pets may develop depression due to significant changes taking place at home. For example, your dog may feel down about your new home following your recent move. Your dog may also be sad because another pet they bonded with is gone.
No owner wants to see their pet in that condition. You can help do something about that by taking your pet to the veterinarian. During that visit, the veterinarian may tell you to give your pet some anti-depressants.
Anti-depressants usually need more time to take effect so don’t expect your pet’s mood to improve instantly. Putting your pet on anti-depressants may also require a long-term commitment on your part.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are among the meds that veterinarians often give to pets.
Veterinarians will often prescribe antihistamines to calm pets down. The aforementioned drug is also useful for curbing unwanted behavior such as excessive scratching.
If your dog has an open wound or they recently underwent surgery, frequent scratching can lead to an infection and other complications. Give them antihistamines to stop that behavior.
Remember to only use antihistamines that the veterinarian prescribed specifically for your pet. Don’t use something that you bought over-the-counter at a pharmacy.
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, those over-the-counter antihistamines may contain ingredients that are unsafe for pets. Do not give them to your pet under any circumstances.
Benzodiazepines
Do you have a cat that gets anxious when you leave? Spraying is a common symptom of anxiety in cats so you may be dealing with that issue already without you knowing about it. To stop that kind of behavior, a veterinarian may suggest giving your pet some benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines can effectively address anxiety issues in dogs. Dogs who struggle with loud noises may also be able to handle them better with the help of this medication.
Sedatives
Sedatives are mainly used to keep pets under control. They help pets stay calm in situations wherein they often stress out.
Giving your furry friend a sedative may be necessary if you are planning to go on a car ride with them. Some pets don’t like being in vehicles so the sedative will be required.
Once again, you should only use the sedative prescribed by the veterinarian. Make sure you follow their recommended dosage as well.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Finally, we have the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. They are also frequently referred to as SSRIs.
SSRIs are mainly used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorders in pets. If you’ve noticed your pet display those obsessive-compulsive tendencies in the past, they may benefit greatly from using SSRIs.
You can also use SSRIs to control a pet’s level of aggression. They should help your pet calm down.
Ask the vet if SSRIs are suitable for your pet.
Monitoring your pet’s condition closely is important if you recently gave them some medication. You can entrust that job to us at TAILored Pet Services. We will keep your pet company so you can tend to other urgent matters.
Visit our website or call 425-923-7791 if you wish to learn more about the work we do.
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