- It is often said that pets look like their owners, but
now it seems they are behaving like them too. An increasing number of dogs
and cats are becoming depressed, and vets are prescribing drugs such as
Prozac and Seroxat to cure them.
-
- Behaviouralists claim it is the latest evidence of 'humanising'
pets. Dogs and cats have become a substitute child for some of those who
put starting a family on hold to concentrate on their careers.
-
- It follows evidence that Britain's obesity epidemic has
spread to pets, with the RSPCA estimating that one in three may be overweight.
A growing number of illnesses and disorders more commonly associated with
humans, such as diabetes and arthritis, are also being noted in dogs and
cats.
-
- Another trend points to increasing indulgence towards
pets. One family spent thousands of pounds on Harrods teddy bears for their
dog, which would chew them up then beg for another.
-
- A tenth of pets receive birthday and Christmas presents
while Sainsbury's believes Advent calendars for pets are likely to equal
sales of those for children by 2010. Spokesman Helena Watson said: 'Many
people will want to mark the approach of Christmas with those closest to
them. With more and more people living on their own, that "person"
is more likely to have four legs than two.'
-
- For some a calendar is not enough. Neither are flavoured
bottled water for dogs or miniature four-poster beds. A diamond-studded
collar and matching tiara worth more than £5,000 is what it takes
for their pet to feel special.
-
- Alistair Gibson, spokesman for the British Small Animal
Veterinary Association, said: 'Seroxat and Prozac are not that commonly
used, and only when there are causes that justify their use. But there
is an argument that modern living, with all its stresses and strains, could
be causing problems in dogs.'
-
- Seroxat and Prozac raise levels of the feel-good hormone
serotonin, but have been accused of increasing the risk of suicide in humans.
-
- Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited
2004 http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1334696,00.html
-
-
- Comment
- From Jim Mortellaro
- 10-24-4
-
- I completely resent the implications made by Mr. Townsend
regarding the medication of our little animal children. When a child is
sick, do we not treat their illness? When a child is depressed, do we not
treat the depression?
-
- Why then do we not do the same for our little animal
children? To do otherwise is ludicrous in the extreme. I for one, resent
Mr. Rense for printing such drivel. I just happen to know that Mr. Rense
has a little doggie, as do I. As a result, I would NEVER print something
like this, were I Jeffery.
-
- I will relate a story for you. My ... uh ... Our little
baby "Pepe" is a French Bulldoggie. Everyone knows that the French
are ... ahhhh ... sensitive, sexy and love ze womans, eh? Well, when Pepe
was neutered, he became VERY depressed by frustration. Frustration for
a Frenchman is the pits. The frustration became depression, the depression
became binge eating. It was awful.
-
- I immediately took our little baby Pepe to the Vet, who
prescribed a visit to the doggie shrink and gave Pepe a week's dose of
Elevil, Valium and Prozac. After we took Pepe to the doggie shrink, he
was prescribed Zanax, Valium and morphine. He was then switched to heroin.
Apparently heroin is legal for use in animals.
-
- Well, it was a miracle. Pepe became better so rapidly
that my gorgeous wifey and I were in seventh heaven.
-
- The fact that the Vet and the shrink prescribed these
drugs solved all our issues. And Pepe had to take nothing at all. It was
prescribed for us. Gosh we're so mellow and happy these days.
-
- We recommend drugs for your pet. Take them yourself.
Don't ruin your little pal's life with this crappola. And make certain
that you take the proper precautions, such as hiding the track marks and
uncrossing your eyeballs whenever confronted by the cops. As for the Marijuana
... smoke it only at home and NEVER do it near the doggie. The smoke makes
him cough.
-
- Far out man ... far out ...
-
- Jimmy ...
- I think...
- it could be ...
- Nah ...
- It's definitely Jimmy ...
-
-
- Comment
Dude
4-24-04
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- Marijuana makes your dog cough? Dude! Get him a bong!
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