Treatments For Dogs

Published: Saturday, January 09, 1999

GOOD NEWS WAS REPORTED this week for those people who consider dogs to be man's best friend.

Two new drugs were made available on the market, one that will help pooches that suffer from senility-like symptoms, and the other to treat dogs that exhibit destructive behavior when they are separated from their owners.

The senility symptoms - confusion, lack of sleeping at night, pacing, failure to interact with family members and urinating in the house - are now recognized in many cases as being caused by a disease called canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome. The disease can be treated in many dogs by a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease in humans.

Regarding the separation anxiety of some dogs, the destructive behavior that it often brings has caused many frustrated owners to give away their pets or put them to sleep. But now we learn that an antidepressant called Clomicalm can help to relieve stress and improve behavior.

Pet-lovers will welcome the ability that will be provided by the pharmaceuticals to improve the quality of life for some of their furry friends.

Considering the joys of companionship that dogs provide to so many people, dog owners are likely to find the costs of the drugs negligible in light of the benefits they will bring.

