USE OF FLUOXETINE TO TREAT DOMINANCE AGGRESSION IN DOGS

Objective-To evaluate fluoxetine for the treatment of owner-directed d ominance aggression in dogs. Design-Prospective study. Animals-9 dogs of various breeds, ages, and either sex determined to have owner-direc ted dominance aggression. Procedure-Placebo and fluoxetine (1 mg/kg of body weight) were compared for the treatment of owner-directed domina nce aggression in a single-blind crossover study. Owners were instruct ed to record aggressive and nonaggressive responses of their dogs dail y on a canine-overt aggression chart for the 5-week duration of the st udy. Total aggression scores (linear and geometric) were calculated fo r each week of the study. The frequency of individual responses was al so analyzed independently. Results-Fluoxetine resulted in a significan t (P = 0.01) reduction in owner-directed dominance aggression after 3 weeks of treatment. No particular aggressive response accounted for th e overall reduction in aggression. Clinical Implications-fluoxetine ma y be useful in the management of dominance aggression in dogs.