Pets on Prozac: Says more about the American mental health crisis than pets

[C C]

Heck, like aquarium fish and poultry antibiotics, some of the humans might be using pet prescriptions for themselves. To offset costs or waiting difficulties at psychiatric facilities, or for stocking up as part of survivalist preparations.
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Your dog is probably on Prozac. Experts say that says more about the American mental health crisis than pets
https://www.statnews.com/2024/04/05/dogs...r-anxiety/

EXCERPTS: Prozac prescriptions for dogs are on the rise, veterinarians across the country acknowledge, along with a myriad of cheaper generic mood stabilizers sold for humans but applied to pets’ separation anxiety, socialization fears, biting habits, or other problematic behavior.

That increase, experts told STAT, says more about the human mental health crisis in America — and the ready availability of inexpensive generic medicines. Americans have reported more depression and anxiety in recent years, and everyone is talking more about it. But while behavioral specialists, therapists, and counseling services have struggled to keep up with the onslaught, relatively inexpensive antidepressants haven’t.

“The human world has become more attuned to mental health. Since Covid, we’re talking about it,” said Melissa Bain, a veterinarian focused on behavioral medicine at the University of California, Davis. “When we start to recognize things in humans, we recognize it in our dogs too.”

[...] The demand for psychological support and psychiatry far outstrips the number of health care workers in the field. Booking appointments can take weeks to months for many Americans, and perceived improvements even longer. Organizations like the American Psychiatric Association are touting the benefits of therapy animals and nature therapy, while proclaiming the mental health benefits of pet ownership.

Pet psychiatry mirrors human trends in several ways. Veterinarians across the country say they are writing more anti-anxiety prescriptions, though it’s difficult to quantify the increase in prescribing trends exactly.

[...] As in the human world, oftentimes a prescription — particularly for a cheap, generic anxiety pill — is easier and more affordable than the hundreds to thousands of dollars that training classes or boutique behaviorist practices that vets also recommend can cost.

Generic versions of these medications — especially the lowest-dose versions that many of our smaller, furrier friends are prescribed — typically retail between $10 and $15 a month. The pet-approved version, Reconcile, is slightly more expensive. Training courses and specialized behaviorists, meanwhile, can run into thousands of dollars. For many people, it’s an easy choice...

[...] Dogs are taking, essentially, the exact same drugs for depression and anxiety that humans are. One of the most commonly used antidepressants — in both the human and animal realms — is Prozac and its generic version, fluoxetine.... (MORE - missing details)

[Zinjanthropos]

Heck, like aquarium fish and poultry antibiotics, some of the humans might be using pet prescriptions for themselves. To offset costs or waiting difficulties at psychiatric facilities, or for stocking up as part of survivalist preparations.

Or you have family members who identify as a cat.

There’s a video out there where some woman took her son, who she says identifies as a cat, to the vet. She complained because the vet said s/he couldn’t help because not trained to work on humans. I’ll give the supposed mother credit, she kept a straight face throughout the vid but I don’t believe her for a second.

Who would be crazier, a son who believes he’s a cat or a mother who takes son to the vet whenever he’s ill?

[confused2]

..some women took her son, who she says identifies as a cat, to the vet.

Says loudly to the vet "We want him jabbed and castrated .. sorry but we can't afford any anesthetic .."

[Magical Realist]

My older brother got on Prozac a few weeks ago. His primary care prescribed it for him because he said he drinks to not be depressed. Still waiting for it to kick in if ever. He still drinks on weekends and my sister said drinking on Prozac keeps it from working. We'll see. I hope it makes it difference. Effexor works for me and has for many years now. Just got off my antipsychotic Olanzipine because it seemed to counteract my Effexor and made me more depressed. I feel so much better now. Turns out I didn't even need any antipsychotic to make my voices manageable. They're well-behaved without it. lol

[C C]

My older brother got on Prozac a few weeks ago. His primary care prescribed it for him because he said he drinks to not be depressed. [...]

Although obvious, somehow it never quite gelled for me that there have always been [questionable] over-the-counter treatments for depression: alcohol and other recreational substances.

The time has come for over-the-counter antidepressants
https://www.scivillage.com/thread-15710-...l#pid63319