title: Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate efficacy of fluoxetine hydrochloride for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  63 dogs with compulsive disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  The diagnosis was confirmed on the basis of analysis of videotapes of the dogs' behavior by 3 veterinary behaviorists, results of physical examination and clinicopathologic testing, and, when necessary, telephone interviews with owners. Dogs were randomly assigned to treatment with fluoxetine (1 to 2 mg/kg [0.45 to 0.9 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) or a placebo. Owners did not receive any advice regarding behavioral or environmental modifications. Severity of episodes was measured through telephone interviews every 2 weeks and on the basis of a daily diary kept by each owner.
  
  
  RESULTS
  42 days after the initiation of treatment, the proportion of dogs with a decrease in severity of the compulsive disorder, as reported by the owners, was significantly higher for dogs treated with fluoxetine than for control dogs, and dogs treated with fluoxetine were significantly more likely (odds ratio, 8.7) to have a decrease in severity of the compulsive disorder. However, mean number and duration of compulsive episodes, as determined from daily diary entries, did not differ significantly between groups. The most common adverse effects were decreased appetite and mild lethargy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggested that fluoxetine may be efficacious in the treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs, although results were equivocal. The present study did not examine whether fluoxetine was more efficacious than or synergistic with behavioral and environment modifications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
authors.forename: Mami
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Irimajiri
authors.forename: Andrew U
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Luescher
authors.forename: Genefer
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Douglass
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robertson-Plouch
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hozak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D005473:Fluoxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors