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Pooch Prozac Is Just the Start
New focus on depression and anxiety in pets, from dogs all the way down to fish
By Katherine Thompson
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Posted Oct 6, 07 8:13 AM CDT
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(Newser)
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With Eli Lilly rolling out a chewable, beef-flavored version of its anti-depressant Prozac for dogs whose ears are drooping, the London Times looks at the current thinking on depression and anxiety in pets. Vets say dogs, as pack animals, are prone to separation anxiety, when left alone, and depression, when either human or canine companions disappear.
"Scientists believe that emotional capability evolves in response to living in complex social situations," one expert opines. "Dogs, like us, live in such societies, so it would make sense if they are capable of true depression." The Times also outlines symptom of emotional distress in cats (spraying), birds (feather-plucking), rabbits (aggression), guinea pigs (squealing) and fish (lethargy).