OCD. What medications help? - Page 1

Does anyone out there have experience with Obsessive-compulsive disorders? I posted out for help about 2-3 months ago, because my pup chased his tail. I've got it so far under control that he hardly ever tries anymore (all wounds are long healed and there are no new ones) but when he does get a chance, he just stands on his tail and pulls it through his toes, making his tail look like a loo-brush!!! Are there any medications that can cut this behaviour down, as our vets don't seem to have much knowledge of this disorder. All help is very appreciated Isabelle

Isabelle, Please dont start doping up your puppy on psychiatric medications. Puppies need alot of attention, obviously you're not giving it enough attention so the puppy finds something else to do.. The puppy is doing this out of boredom.. Give it a job.. and continue with it.

Brittany I have started my now 7 month old boy in all 3 phases of IPO. His nose work is fantastic for his age. He has been growing very quickly now and I'm scared of making him do too much too soon. I mean, I want him to have fun working with me. He lives with us in the house, loves going to town to help me shopping, we do ring training and also go to a puppy group. I don't kennel or crate him because he may find the time start again. I agree that doping a pup is not the answer, but maybe it's a thing he'll grow out of with a little help.

Isabelle, where are you located???

Isabelle, I would not do any kind of jumps with a 7 month old puppy, simply because you do not know what his hip/elbows status are.. I would only stick with tracking, which is what he loves to do. Keep him working… don’t dope him up with psych meds. He doesn’t need it.

Sounds like a busy puppy that is learning a lot. It is great that you are out working with your dog and the tail chasing has cut down so much. He could possibly just be a high drive dog that gets bored easy? When he goes for the tail, have you tried distracting him from it for something else more fun? I would keep going with training unlike what Brittany has told you. You can make jumps and a-frames that are adjustable to go as low as needed w/out stressing the joints. Jeff

I won't get into the OCD arguments to medicate or not to medicate but there is a world of info at google. Just type in ocd treatment with ssri. Nothing works for everything but several of the Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitors have worked for dogs that are mutilating their tails and also for acral lick dermatitis which is also thought to be a form of OCD. Some of the meds used are Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox and others.

Thanx to you all. At least I'm equiped with a little information when I go to the vets this afternoon. I'm going to google everything I've got and try to work out what's best for my baby.

Isabella, will be very interested to find out what your vet has advised. Let us know asap.

Isabella, Hello, I had a problem like this with my first female. She was an older kennel dog and had learned this behavior....I do find that her pups all spin but they don't self mutilate like she did. I tried mulitable things, no meds though. The thing that worked for her was to put a back pack on her back and fill it with small water bottles....not to full for a pup but enough to make it move around on him when he spins, distracting him....so when she would start the spinning the water bottles would move all around and she would stop and stand still and then I would try and distract her with a toy. It worked pretty good. She would spin a few circles and then look for the toy, and not bite her tail. Give that a try...you can find the back packs for dogs at pet co or pet smart...i think walmart might even carry them. It worked out well because she ended up carring all her gear, I think it did give her a job, and that she liked....something she had to think about that was on her body. Britney, you really need to stop judging everybody and offer some information. You really do sound like an idiot. H.