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by Stephen Gainsly As strange as it may seem, members of the animal kingdom can suffer from depression, just like their human counterparts. There are different catalysts for this, and your vet will have to address the issue if symptoms should become apparent. This isn't as uncommon as you may think, so don't simply dismiss it if your dog's behavior suddenly shifts or his mood seems to plummet for a significant amount of time. Contact your vet, who will be able to determine if Fido really is suffering from depression, or if something else is happening within your pet's health profile. Separation Anxiety is a common cause of depression in dogs. When an owner is away from the animal, the household pet suffers considerably. Especially when the owner is away for an extended period, the pet has trouble adjusting to this absence. It happens with other types of pets, (a parrot who is away from its master will die of heartbreak) but it is most common in the species we call "man's best friend". Obvious symptoms of depression include destructive behavior but that may be a result of other causes as well. How do you know if your dog is depressed? Be more aware of behaviors that may be an exhibition of depression: loud, continuous barking or howling, frequent toileting, by an animal that has been house trained, agitated pacing; and excessive drooling or licking. If the behaviors are unusual and your pet has not engaged in these behaviors in the past this may be a sign your pet is suffering from depression. The upside to this scenario is that it can be treated with medication. Dogs are typically given a prescription for depression meds after other options have been exhausted. For instance, vets would prefer to integrate a behavior modification program into the dog's routine rather than to prescribe pills. Since the problem can be related to something within the dog's physical profile, attempting other forms of treatment can help the vet to isolate the true cause of the problem, and whether or not it's actually depression. The philosophy is that medication should be the last resort, since, just as in the human population, this can sometimes have adverse effects. Even if one actually exists, it will take a while to make a diagnosis of depression. You, your dog and the vet will have to form a partnership of three to determine this diagnosis. All must work as a team to find a right solution to the problem. If a vet immediately prescribes medication because of your complaint of a sudden behavior change without a thorough study, beware! A good vet will not think your concerns are silly or unfounded and will not make a quick diagnosis. Make sure you have a plan for when you'll be separated from your pet for any length of time. We now know that one of the main causes of pet depression is separation anxiety. Have your pet stay with a friend or some other person it knows. Remind the dog of your scent by leaving an article of your clothing to help your pet manage through your absence. Make sure you contact your Vet for other ideas, and ask any questions you or your dogsitter may have. That is also a good idea in any case.
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