Special Reports

More Owners Turning To Meds For Their Pets

BOSTON (WBZ) ― Prozac for dogs, a drug for pet motion sickness, and a doggy diet pill are just a few of the new medicines aimed at the huge and lucrative pet care market.

Laura Rodgers' dog, Hazel had serious separation anxiety.

"Whenever she was left alone, she would destroy things. She bent the crate, she actually bent the bars of the crate. She would bark continuously," said Rodgers.

Even intense training didn't work. "She was an unkeepable dog," said Laura.

A growing number of pets like Hazel are getting pharmaceutical help not only with behavior problems, but also with illnesses like arthritis, cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

It's a multi-billion dollar industry. And it helped Hazel and Laura.

Everyday Laura gives her dog "Clomicalm." She says the anxiety reducer takes the edge off and made it possible to train Hazel.

"She's a fabulous dog now," said Laura.

Dr. Nicholas Dodman is an expert on pharmacology and pet behavior at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, and an author of a number of pet related books.

"The drug companies see opportunities to develop new products," said Dr. Dodman.

The industry often takes medicines developed for people, and reformulates them for animals.

Take the new pet drug "Reconcile," it's really Prozac.

These FDA approved medicines can save animals lives.

"Without a particular drug it may be the end of the road for that dog," said Dr. Dodman.

"I think that people need to be aware of the side effects," warns Dr. Margo Roman, a Hopkinton veterinarian who practices integrative pet medicine and uses drugs only as a last resort.

Roman says owners should consider alternatives like acupuncture, chiropractic and homeopathy before giving a pet a pill because of the possible side effects.

And if you choose to give your pet a drug, be informed.

"Be sure you read the drug insertion. Insist from your veterinarian that I want to see all the drug interactions," said Dr. Roman.

Some people point to a new drug called "Slentrol" and worry that things are getting out of control. It's the first diet drug for overweight dogs. Others say it will be a best seller.

For information about the veterinarians interviewed for this story, and general information on pet behavior check out:

Dr. Nicholas Dodman- Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine: www.thepetdocs.com

Dr. Dodman's newest book is called "Puppy's First Steps."

Dr. Margo Roman- Main Street Animal Services of Hopkinton: www.mashvet.com

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