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| Clomipramine and Separation Anxiety |
Abstract
The
objective of the study was to investigate the incidence of adverse
events and changes in behaviour after use of clomipramine to treat
separation anxiety in dogs. This study was a follow-up investigation to a
previously published clinical trial. In the main trial, dogs were
randomised in a double-blinded manner to receive placebo, standard
(1–2 mg/kg, q12h) or low (0.5–1 mg/kg, q12h) dosages of clomipramine for
2–3 months. All dogs received behavioural therapy. Follow-up
questionnaires were completed in 76 out of 89 dogs between 5.5 and 16
months after completion of the main trial.
Post study, 12
dogs at one site received clomipramine long term (>13–16 months). The
clomipramine was tolerated well, no dogs had worsening of their
behaviour and behaviour improved further in 10 (83%) dogs.
An
additional 16 dogs received clomipramine and/or other drugs for up to
30 weeks and 48 cases received no drugs post trial. Acute worsening of
behaviour was noted in the first two weeks after stopping treatment in
three cases receiving low dose clomipramine, but in no cases in the
other groups. The worsening rate of separation anxiety >2 weeks after
stopping therapy was 13% of dogs that had received standard-dose
clomipramine, 15% of dogs that had received low dose clomipramine and
23% of dogs that had received placebo. The mean time to worsening was
longer in dogs that had received standard-dose clomipramine (37 weeks),
as compared to low dose clomipramine (11 weeks, P = 0.005) or placebo (11 weeks, P = 0.003).
In
conclusion, no undesirable long term effects were detected in the use
of standard-dose (1–2 mg/kg, q12h) clomipramine for the treatment of
separation anxiety in dogs. Abrupt withdrawal of a sub-optimal dose of
clomipramine (0
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