Efficacy of amitriptyline as a pharmacological adjunct to behavioral modification in the management of aggressive behaviors in dogs

The efficacy of amitriptyline as a pharmacological adjunct to behavioral mo dification in the clinical management of aggressive behaviors in dogs was e valuated in two phases. Twelve dogs presenting for aggressive behaviors wer e treated sequentially with amitriptyline (2 mg/kg body weight, per os [PO] bid) and a placebo for 4 weeks in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Standardized protocols for behavior modification were implemented throughout the trial. Owners maintained behavioral record s and reported on the number of aggressive incidents as well as the dog's o verall improvement at the end of each 4-week period. in the second phase, 2 7 cases of dogs presenting for aggressive behaviors and treated with amitri ptyline were reviewed, and clients were contacted to record each dog's resp onse to treatment. Reports were compared to those for dogs receiving behavi or modification alone (i.e., placebo phase of prospective study). No signif icant difference was observed in the patients' responses to adjunctive amit riptyline versus behavior modification alone.