O.K. So Rogue has been getting the higher dosage of 10 mg. per day of Fluoxitine for nearly two weeks now. I wish I had better news to report, but I don’t. Instead both my husband and I have noticed that she is getting more anxious and reactive instead of less. 
She has also been acting more aggressive towards the other dogs in the house, not just targeting Zoe. We haven’t had any altercations, (thank goodness!) but I think that’s due in part to the fact that the other dogs just can’t figure out what in the world she is doing. They just look at her like: “What is wrong with you?, and What do you think you’re doing?”
I am battling with my impatience to see progress vs. what I know is a long process to find appropriate medication and dosage and be able to work through the behavioral modification protocols that we’ve been given. Sometimes I worry that my impatience will taint my observations, but when my husband asked me to call the vet to discuss this, I decided that it wasn’t just me seeing negative changes in Rogue.
I contacted the vet in SL today and voiced my concerns and we both agreed that we should back the dosage down to 5 mg. per day and observe her behavior at that level. I also emailed Dr. Overall to get her opinion of what we’re seeing. I’m sure that with her experience she’ll be able to tell me if this was the right decision. Wish us well!
That is frustrating when progress is so slow or when the behavior is going “way” not how we expect it to. Where is the miracle cure?
Sorry to hear that Rogue’s medicine is not yet working! Hang in there and we send tons of good wishes your way!
Hope that you find some resolution for pooor Rogue! And hope that resolution comes soon!
Christys last blog post..Busy, Busy…….
Marie, it’s disappointing that you’re not seeing progress in Rogue yet. There’s still hope, so don’t give up on it. But the truth is that some anti-anxiety medications actually increase anxiety in some people (including dogs). Every bio-chemical system is unique, and, in any given system, some meds work better than others, others don’t work at all, and other make things worse.
But hang in there!
SheltieJims last blog post..Today’s Happenings
Heya Astrid,
No miracle cures, at least not that we’ve found. LOL That’s ok, we’ll just keep moving forward and eventually I think we’ll get it right.
Thanks so much Ricky! We’ll take all the positive thoughts we can get. Hopefully in another month or so we’ll have some good news to share with everyone.
Me too Christy! Me too!
Hi Jim!
You should know me well enough by now to know that I’m not going to give up on Rogue. LOL I just have to vent my frustrations and then we make adjustments and move ahead.
It’s so frustrating and hard to try to be observant without being emotional. Sometimes impossible, in fact! But you are doing a wonderful job and I hope the smaller dose works.
Cynthias last blog post..Finally Been Bitten
Thanks Cyn,
I’ll keep everbody posted…
Well I just read your more recent Rogue update and sounds like she is doing better on the 5 mg dose. Guess it’s going to take a lot of patience and trial and error. I’m glad you’re starting to see more results though. Rogue is my favorite of all your shelties.