We are 12 days into the use of Prozac with Hailey, and while the vet said to give it a full 30 days, I thought I would updated how things are going now.
As shown on Tuesday, Hailey takes her pill like a champ, so no problems there.
The vet had said the drug could make her very hungry and to date we haven't seen that. In fact, for the first time since she entered our lives, we have seen her leave food in her dish. Phod, who has had a slight cutback in his food, is liking this and sometimes sneaks the rest of hers.
She seems to be a bit sleeper, but that could be because she is more relaxed and not hiding all the time.
She is not just going to hid at 8 pm every night. 2 nights, she actually slept on the couch.
However, when there was thunder earlier this week, she hid. She hid when we had fireworks. We had people over, including a 2 year old and she barked a lot (she actually settled in the crate for 2 hours and when she was let out she was ok). She is still showing some anxiety. We haven't had a really windy day yet to see if she is fearful of the wind. We haven't had a night of obsessive barking.
Is it working? She is being quieter about being anxious. She isn't having a panting fit in the kitchen every night.
We will give it another 2 weeks and decide if the changes in her behaviour are worth having her on meds. It is not the cost of the meds (it was $40 for the month), but more my belief in that we shouldn't take meds we don't need.
It might take her longer to get the full effect.....but it sounds like it's helping a bit already!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Pam (and Sam)
you also need to remember these are habits she has developed and those take time to change - I think three months would be a better time frame as it is not just the meds that need to work but also some behavior modification along the way. Hopefully with the meds on board and lowering her anxiety you can work with her to take her mind of things better maybe playing a game giving her something to chew on
ReplyDeleteIt's great Hailey takes the pills so easily, paws crossed you see continued improvements over the next few weeks
ReplyDeleteLoves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
I hope so much that it works and you and Lee have better nights. I'm with you on that med-front, as much as needed, but as few as pawsible...
ReplyDeleteI am glad she is such a good girl and takes her pills for you. I would give it some more time also, but momma believes like you, if it isn't working then take her off of it. She kinda reminds us of mags and her anxiety...mom traces it back to poor social interaction and taking her away from her momma to early....poor little girl. stella rose
ReplyDeleteHope it works for you little girl. A behaviorist would work if the pills don't.
ReplyDeleteLily & Edward
Hope things get better for Hailey. She's lucky to have such good humans taking care of her!
ReplyDeleteI love that you're giving it a lot of thought whether to continue the medication. Why bother giving her something if it isn't going to work? I am anxious to hear what the next two weeks brings you guys!
ReplyDeleteღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
I agree with you about being overmedicated unnecessarily. But it does seem like the med is helping Hailey, so it's a good idea that you're continuing for another two weeks. You'll be able to tell better then.
ReplyDeletesounds like it is helping - time will tell as you say - if it is worth keeping her on it. As Reilly & Denny said it may be a matter of using it long enough to break the "habits" good luck
ReplyDeletehugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
We hope it works. Poor girl. Sounds like things are going well at the moment.
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteYour caution is understandable and appropriate... but I would say the signs are on the whole positive - it may be, as with humans, that a lighter dose once the pattern is set could work... we await further updates! YAM xx
We hope her quality of live is improved with whatever the final decision is. Maybe you can fill her prescription at Costco for less money too. Stay Calm & Bark On!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Hope it works for her! Maybe it's a good sign she's showing improvement this early on?
ReplyDeleteI totally agree and understand your thoughts about the meds -- I hope you find that balance between the two! Let us know!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Interesting that you are seeing some changes now. Usually with these kinds of meds you need to have them on board for 3-4 weeks before you see anything. I would suggest doing at least 2 full months before you make your decision. Also, sometimes when they go on prozac there's some adjusting to be done with the dose. So you might either need more or less depending on how she's doing. I'm glad she seems more relaxed!
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else ~ I think maybe you should give it a couple of months. And some vets (and people doctors) believe that this doesn't have to be a forever thing either. If she does well on it, it is possible that she can come off of it at some point too. I am glad she is doing better, and maybe adjusting the meds (if you decide to stick with it) can help too. Ruby said she's keepin' her paws crossed for her, and that she totally understands! (yeah, she does! ☺)
ReplyDeleteKisses,
Ruby ♥
Sounds like you are on top of things!
ReplyDeleteBilbo took Prozac for a couple of months, but it only made him MORE anxious....so we discontinued use. It looks like this might be a good thing for Hailey!!
We hope the meds continue to help Hailey be comfortable. We are keeping our paws crossed they help her.
ReplyDeleteHopefully it does even better with more time. I agree with your approach. We don't like to do meds if we don't have to, but sometimes we do have to.
ReplyDelete