Symptoms of Canine Depression
If your pet exhibits any of the following symptoms for more than a few days, he may be suffering from dog depression:
- Lethargy or unusual tiredness
- Anxious or aggressive behaviors
- Unresponsiveness
- Sudden change in appetite or weight
In order to bring your dog up to his typical level of energy, it is important to understand both the potential causes of these canine depression symptoms as well as options for treatment. Although the symptoms listed here are indicative of typical canine depression, they may also signal other health concerns that your veterinarian can identify. It is a good idea to take a dog exhibiting any of these symptoms for more than a few days to a vet for an examination.
Causes of Canine Depression
If your dog's behavior indicates that he may be depressed, consider any changes to his daily routine or environment that may have triggered his symptoms. Dogs are sensitive to alterations in their daily schedule and may be influenced by changes to their meal times or their playtime. Similarly, changes to the configuration of humans in their environment can also contribute to canine depression, and dogs may empathize with owners who are upset or sick. Note any changes to your dog's surroundings that may be responsible for his depressed behavior and adjust them if possible. Although canine depression may be managed with drugs such as phenobarbitol, it is cheaper and easier to modify your dog's environment as a method of relieving his depression.
Canine depression may also occur because of hormonal imbalances. In this case, your pet's unusual behavior will not be linked to any particular external stresses or changes to environment, and symptoms will persist until treated. Because symptoms may be indicative of more serious health concerns, such as canine hyperthyroidism, it is important to have your dog examined by a vet if his depression develops randomly or continues for longer than a few days.
Medicinal Treatment for Canine Depression
Your veterinarian may prescribe phenobarbitol (also known as pheno or PB) for your dog's depression. Phenobarbitol is commonly used as an anti-epileptic and may also be used to treat certain cases of canine depression. Because phenobarbitol may cause liver damage and other side effects, it is only available when prescribed by a veterinarian and should be administered exactly according to your vet's instructions. For questions concerning dosage, proper administration, and programs of treatment for phenobarbitol, consult your veterinarian.
Your canine may develop symptoms of depression for a variety of reasons, many of which are temporary but some of which are quite serious. Be aware of changes in your dog's behavior and habits, and if symptoms persist or develop inexplicably do not hesitate to take your dog for a veterinary appointment. By responding promptly, you will help your dog to return to his normal behavior quickly and healthily.