TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2020//
TI  - Behavioral therapy and fluoxetine treatment in aggressive dogs: a case study
JO  - Animals (Basel)
A1  - Odore, Rosangela
A1  - Rendini, Diego
A1  - Badino, Paola
A1  - Gardini, Giulia
A1  - Cagnotti, Giulia
A1  - Meucci, Valentina
A1  - Intorre, Luigi
A1  - Bellino, Claudio
A1  - D'Angelo, Antonio
SP  - e832
EP  - e832
VL  - 10
IS  - 5
N2  - Canine aggression is a major concern, affecting millions of people worldwide, and treatment can be challenging even for skilled veterinarians. Empiric use of fluoxetine is sometimes attempted, although few data regarding long-term effects in aggressive dogs are available. The aim of the study was to investigate clinical effectiveness of fluoxetine (1.5 mg/kg/die PO) combined with a behavior modification program for treatment of canine dominance-related aggression. Circulating levels of fluoxetine, norfluoxetine, and serotonin (5-HT) were also measured. Eight dogs with a diagnosis of dominance aggression (owner-directed) were enrolled. Before treatment (T0), and after one (T1), two (T2), four (T3), and six (T4) months of fluoxetine administration, clinical outcomes were graded using a five-point frequency scale (0-4), and blood samples were collected to measure fluoxetine/norfluoxetine (high-performance liquid chromatography) and 5-HT (ELISA) levels. Following treatment, a decrease in behavioral test scores was observed at T1-T4. Increasing concentrations of circulating fluoxetine and norfluoxetine were measured throughout the follow-up. Correlation between norfluoxetine levels and clinical scores was observed at T4. Starting from T1, a significant decrease in 5-HT levels was observed. Our data suggest that fluoxetine (1.5 mg/kg/day) when associated with behavior treatment is effective in controlling canine aggression over a six-month period, and that, in dogs norfluoxetine levels seem reliable in predicting clinical efficacy.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2076-2615
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani10050832
ID  - ref1
ER  -