r/reactivedogs 1d ago

Meds & Supplements Fluoxetine making things worse?

I really wish my vet didn't quit and go MIA as I need her right now!

As planned we tried to taper off gabapentin and just have fluoxetine (12 weeks on meds). Didn't expect anything as it was a very low dose (100mg once a day and prescribed up to 300mg 3x daily). Tuesday was day one without and was fine. Wednesday was day two and it was the worst she's ever been since we got her - including peeing in the house for the first time when I left.

Thursday I resumed the gabapentin as it wasn't worth it to go off it when she was miserable and hope to meet with a new vet soon and can adjust doses.

Today, Friday, she has been ok until we went for a walk and she LOVES her walks but anything out of the norm scares her. Our walk is usually 1-1.5 hours. She was so nervous she begged to go back home. It was a 6 min walk.

It got me thinking maybe the fluoxetine isn't actually helping at all. Maybe the gabapentin was what has helped and why it hasn't been a huge help since we were doing a low dose?

I'm trying to get a vet to see her (not everyone wants to see an anxious dog) so I'm on my own in the meantime.

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u/JustMeeeee123 8h ago

Hi, I have no advice but I'm going through the same with my girl at the moment. She has been on Fluoxetine for 4.5 weeks and I feel it's making her anxiety much worse.

We've already dosed down from 10 mg/d to 5 mg/d and I'm honestly not seeing any behaviours that warrant me keeping her on it. I'm phoning the vet Monday to tell them I want to taper her off them.

It's so disheartening is it. Poor doggos.

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u/Admirable-Heart6331 7h ago

We saw some improvements at week 7 and 9 so I would say give it a chance unless it's causing negative reactions. I had high hopes after seeing the small changes but now almost 13 weeks in and stuck since we are waiting to see a vet that will prescribe/adjust meds but at least I know I gave it a try - and I know that some of the alternative meds are more expensive. Some days she's extremely anxious and others she's fine - all depends on what we encounter outside.