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Major behavior change after 10 years!! Help!

Behavioral Issues
  • C

    So glad to hear the move into your new house has Joey all settled & Happy!

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  • J

    Thank you! I wasn't going to give up on him!

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  • YodelMaY

    I have been wondering how Joey is doing--so glad he's doing well! Did you ever try Clomicalm? Should the need ever arise again, Trazadone is a very benign anti-depressant; It's used in elderly humans with heart conditions and has a pronounced calming/somewhat sedative effect.

    For anyone following the thread, Clomicalm is a re-patented version of clomipramine, an old tricyclic antidepressant. It is sold considerably cheaper for humans as Anafranil. It is an old tricyclic anti-depressant, seldom used in humans nowadays because of potential liver toxicity. In my opinion at best it's an ineffective cash grab, at worst it's dangerous. I would steer clear--there are much safer, more modern SSRI's available.

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  • J

    I did try Clomicalm but I don't think he was on it long enough or his anxiety level was too strong to see a change.
    He may have been in pain that I did not detect. I just never found a definitive cause. Sure wish they could talk sometimes!

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  • J

    @yodelma said in Major behavior change after 10 years!! Help!:

    opinion

    I'll keep Trazadone in mind for the future. He is managing pretty well for now.

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  • J

    Saw a new vet today for a check up...she suggested trying Prozac to treat situational anxiety. Thoughts?

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    Prozac made a big difference in Cara.

    Debra

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  • R

    Prozac was a factor in the death of my beloved Thunder. Yes, it did work but the price both him and me paid was high. This happened back in 2003 and to this day I mourn for him.

    Kathryn

    DebraDownSouthD J 2 Replies
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  • DebraDownSouthD

    @rocky1 ...as i
    I wrote in 2016...I am sorry about your dog, but it's rare. Other drugs may be more dangerous and far less researched.

    DebraDownSouth Aug 28, 2016, 11:18 PM reply quote
    Rocky1, I am sorry about your dog, and absolutely liver is a KNOWN side effect, albeit small, with the drug. So anyone doubting you needs to do some research.

    However, your other information is a not accurate.

    first, no, clomicalm is not the doggy form of prozac.

    Second, 5-htp has toxicity also. Almost no drug comes without risks. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10863592
    Add to the fact that prozac has been used and researched heavily, whereas research on 5-HTP is scarce in humans and almost nonexistent in dogs beyond the toxicity above. "natural" doesn't mean safe.
    http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Hydroxytryptophan_(5-)

    In humans it also can cause liver damage

    Tryptophan use has been associated with the development of serious conditions, such as liver and brain toxicity, and with eosinophilic myalgia syndrome (EMS), a potentially fatal disorder that affects the skin, blood, muscles, and organs (see "Overview" section). Such reports prompted the FDA to ban the sale of all tryptophan supplements in 1989. As with tryptophan, EMS has been reported in 10 people taking 5-HTP.
    Side effects of 5-HTP are generally mild and may include nausea, heartburn, gas, feelings of fullness, and rumbling sensations in some people. At high doses, serotonin syndrome, a dangerous condition caused by too much serotonin in the body, could develop. Talk to your health care provider before taking higher-than-recommended doses.
    People with high blood pressure or diabetes should talk to their doctor before taking 5-HTP.
    If you take antidepressants, you should not take 5-HTP (see "Possible Interactions" section).
    People with liver disease, pregnant women, and women who are breastfeeding should not take 5-HTP.<<

    Clomicalm (clomipramine hydrochloride) is a tricyclic antidepressant and affects chemicals in the brain (serotonin)
    Prozac, fluoxetine, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant drug . Its FDA-approved veterinary formulation is known as Reconcile.

    Clomicalm slows the reabsorption rate of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, allowing their levels to rise in the brain. This drug is mainly used to treat separation anxiety. Prozac, on the other hand, works by strongly blocking the reabsorption of serotonin allowing more serotonin to be available for extended periods of time.
    http://www.ehow.com/info_12227764_difference-between-clomicalm-prozac-dogs.html

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10863592

    Prozac, clomicalm and 5-HTP can all cause liver issues.

    Debra<<<<<

    Debra

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  • J

    @rocky1 I'm so very sorry for your loss. They become such a part of our souls. I've already had a few tears over just the thought of what it will be like without him.

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  • C

    strange behavior

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    DebraDownSouthD
    First, yeah they do the flip and butt in face. I see it as invitation to play/chase mostly. Kind of shaking my head here over the rest. You already have a breed known for dominance and protectiveness of property/family with the Boerboel. Basenjis (I assume you mean 6.5 not 65 years old :) ) are not known for tolerating same sex. Sometimes they do, but not a sure bet. Plus, your Boerboel is still a puppy. By age 2 or 3, that compliance with the Basenji being alpha can go down the drain at a drop of a hat. That happens, and he hasn't killed the basenji... you have to keep 2 packs running, ensuring they never have contact. Then you bring in a mixed breed... which is all a Mastador is. No way on earth to know how much it will take after the lab side or the Mastiff. AND it's another male. So now you have potentially 3 dog aggressive male dogs, with 2 of them large enough to inhale the basenji. I am not sure about the breeders who placed the Boerboel, certainly not the owners letting you bring in the Mastador. I want my male dogs to have a chance of a peaceful, unstressful life. I think the chances in your home are already approaching really low numbers, and the Mastador is going to bring that closer to zero. The safety of that poor basenji is beyond precarious. I wouldn't want those 3 males in the most experienced of homes, one already fully ready to and experienced in running separate packs. I sincerely hope you reconsider the Mastador. And no, getting a female won't help. Until the Boerboel is fully mature and you have a handle on what your pack is, adding any dog is going to up the risk of issues.
  • Heinz57H

    Help!

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    KipawaK
    Kipawa went through a rambunctious stage at 13 months - he didn't do anything bad, but he seemed to be 'testing' who the boss was. He was reminded, consistently. (Grin) At 15 months he started to show very nice maturation qualities and a complete understanding of his place in our family pack. Be patient, be consistent, give him lots of exercise and really praise him when he is good.
  • H

    Help

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    S
    Do let us know what you found out from the vets.
  • L

    Please Help!!!!!!

    Behavioral Issues
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    S
    Fran, my older b and I are also those who can't sleep throught the night. So, we all get up and take care of business. At least your pup will out grow this… Any chance we will see you at the EBC specality in Aug in Auburn Wa again? I would love it!
  • basenjiprinceB

    Very bad behavior

    Behavioral Issues
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    Buddys PalB
    Hey Melissa, How did it go over the weekend? Did you get it to where the enclosed area can be his place while you are at work? I have had a B for 71/2 months now. They are unique on the one hand with some breed specifics, but a dog none the less. Any dog needs exercise and mental stimulation(esp B's! A tired Basenji is a Happy One!) and since they are social animals, they need companionship. It sounds like you are strapped financially like us all, but I can only offer you three alternatives: 1)doggy day care or a sitter, 2)another dog, 3)get him to a home where his needs will be met. It's not to be mean or belittle you, it is just that being fustrated is not healthy for you mentally or physically, nor your little boy.
  • BanditB

    Help with aggression

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    L
    Some basenjis seem to have particular kinds of dogs they don't like. My Abbey is best friends with a rottweiller, a black lab, and a dalmation, but she hates golden retrievers! What do they go by, coat color?? She goes after anything that moves at the vet's though. My first basenji many years ago, Pumpkin, climbed trees to get after squirrels, and fences were no problem either.