Citation

Dodman NH, Donnelly R, Shuster L, Mertens P, Rand W, Miczek KA. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 1996; 209(9): 1585-1587.

Affiliation

School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, American Veterinary Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8899022

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fluoxetine for the treatment of owner-directed dominance aggression in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 9 dogs of various breeds, ages, and either sex determined to have owner-directed dominance aggression. PROCEDURE: Placebo and fluoxetine (1 mg/kg of body weight) were compared for the treatment of owner-directed dominance aggression in a single-blind crossover study. Owners were instructed to record aggressive and nonaggressive responses of their dogs daily on a canine-overt aggression chart for the 5-week duration of the study. Total aggression scores (linear and geometric) were calculated for each week of the study. The frequency of individual responses was also analyzed independently. RESULTS: Fluoxetine resulted in a significant (P = 0.01) reduction in owner-directed dominance aggression after 3 weeks of treatment. No particular aggressive response accounted for the overall reduction in aggression. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Fluoxetine may be useful in the management of dominance aggression in dogs.

Language: en