lilypily Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 Hi, I'v been thinking about trying Clomicalm for my dog. Just after peoples experiences with the drug, any negative side effects? Did it work for your dog? Would you recommend it? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nadia Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 I have used it very successfully on 2 dogs. No ill effects in either. My little nutcase, has a short course when he gets wound up, he has had many homes and suffers from OCD. He responds well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 (edited) Clomicalm should really only be used in conjunction with a Vet AND a Vet Behaviourist. It is not a permanent solution, it is a means to an end, whilst the dog is more manageable, a behaviour program should be implemented by an expert so that when the dog is eventually weaned off it, it has a set of new skills and better behaviour. Clomicalm doesn't work for all dogs, that's why you need a Vet Behaviourist to give you a set of guidelines to follow to assess it's effectiveness. Vet Behaviourists lectures that I have attended have also stated that Clomicalm is not the 'be all and end all' drug, and many of them use a combination of Valium and other types of Prozac, often getting a much better result. Clomicalm does have side-effects and contra-indications. There is no way out of a dogs behaviour problems using Clomicalm alone, if you are not doing an intensive behaviour program- take away the Clomicalm and the dog will be back to what it was originally. As other people have stated in your other threads- you need to get some expert help. Mel. Edited October 8, 2005 by StaffordsRule Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ittybitty_ Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 I have used it and wouldnt hesitate to recommend it or use it again.. I have a GSD with slight OCD well he DID have it.. He chased his tail really bad and stripped the hair off it. We put him on clomicalm, and he has NEVER been obsessive about his tail since. Now and then he will have a relapse and we just put him on it for a week or so.. But it is never as serious. Its great stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haven Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 I used it and did not find it to be all that special. I did notice a mild change, just taking the edge of my dog's anxiety. What made the most difference apart from socialization and desensitisation was a natural diet and supplements, DAP and a bach flower remedy in that order. Recent information from a veterinary behaviourist is that prozac is much more effective than clomicalm in most cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOE Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 My friend used it on her cat it stopped it from compulsive piddling on everything and generally slowed her down. She is off it at the moment but puts her back on it when she starts to get too much. She swears by the stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilypily Posted October 10, 2005 Author Share Posted October 10, 2005 As other people have stated in your other threads- you need to get some expert help. Yep, that's what i'm doing. I have contacted a Vet Behaviouralist and i'm waiting for her to ring me back to have a chat, then I have forms to fill out and make an appt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 Good to hear let us know how it goes eh? Mel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leenie Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 You could also consider rescue remedy, herbal calming tonics, pet aromatherapy sprays... and if they don't help then try drugs. Also, what is he fed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordelia Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 If a dog has OCD.... Clomicalm (in conjunction with a re-training programme) has proven to be very effective but it also takes a few weeks to reach levels in the body/reach peak effectiveness, so patience is also needed. If a dog is merely badly behaved etc.... it isn't going to be at all effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilypily Posted October 11, 2005 Author Share Posted October 11, 2005 I'm in the process of filling out my 25 page questionaire, so I should have an appt. either late this week or next week. He is fed Supercoat dry and My Dog canned. He really needs something that will take the edge of his anxiety and fear, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haven Posted October 11, 2005 Share Posted October 11, 2005 I strongly urge you to try a natural diet. That made the biggest difference to my GSD's anxiety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leenie Posted October 11, 2005 Share Posted October 11, 2005 Good advice Haven. Colourings, flavourings and preservatives in pet foods can cause serious behavioural problems - just like when people have too many additives too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keryn2207 Posted October 11, 2005 Share Posted October 11, 2005 I have been advised that it can exacerbate any aggression issues that the dog might have so be aware of this potential side effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haven Posted October 12, 2005 Share Posted October 12, 2005 That what can exacerbate aggression issues? A natural diet or the clomicalm? I have heard that about some medications but not diet, except for old wives tales. Colourings, flavourings and preservatives in pet foods can cause serious behavioural problems - just like when people have too many additives too. Also, as you are feeding lots of raw bones there is much more chewing involved. Chewing increases serotonin levels in the brain, which moderates anxiety. The B vitamins, magnesium and copper are great for stress also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilypily Posted October 12, 2005 Author Share Posted October 12, 2005 I agree Haven. But how do I go about it? He won't eat raw meat. I have tried meaty bones, chicken wings and necks, roo tail, mince. Needless to say I gave up. Anyone got any tips? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haven Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 When you say he won't eat it, how long won't he eat it for? Try mixing a portion of mince with his normal food and gradually increase the mince and decrease the normal food. Don't pander to him, he won't starve himself to death. If he turns his nose up at what you offer, give him 10minutes and take it away. Feed nothing more until the next meal time. Before I switched from supercoat, Loki would starve himself for days. It was normal for him to only eat 3 meals a week and he wouldn't take treats no matter what they were. I couldn't walk him everyday or he would lose too much weight. Now he eats anything he can. Eats out of the garbage, steals off the bench etc etc. He's actually almost overweight! When Robert Holmes advised me to switch I thought it might make a small difference to his behaviour. WRONG! The difference was huge and it was obvious to everyone who saw him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leenie Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 Try changing the food over from old supercoat / my dog diet to fresh meat like Haven suggests and if you really want to feed a dry food because you feel he'd be more likely to eat it then have a look at a more natural based recipe, eg. Innova. Avoid anything with by-products, colourings, flavourings, sugar, etc. Purchase food that has an actual meat as the first ingredient, ie. chicken, turkey, lamb and vegetables. None of this "meat and/or meat by-products" garbage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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