Clomipramine for seperation anxiety??

[Champ's Papa]

Has anyone tried using or know anything about this drug for treating seperation anxiety??

 

[Grimmja]

yes, i've used it now for a little over 3 months with our dog, for separation anxiety. it has worked wonders and we're hoping to start weaning from it soon. that combined with us giving up on crating him when we leave has helped him calm down immensely, he is not destructive when we leave, and he's calm enough to go and lay down in his door-less crate to take a nap!! i would recommend using it with your vet's guidance.

 

[Champ's Papa]

Thanks Grimmja,
Our Champ (4 months) is not too destructive (yet) when we leave; however, he does freak out and pees and poops in the house (does not when we are home). Did you have this problem?? If so, did the clomipramine help with the potty in house??
Thanks again!

 

[Grimmja]

we haven't had any problems with pooping/peeing, just mega drooling and barking, whining, etc. in the crate...i would bet this would help with your problems too, if he's doing that out of anxiety, this med will help him calm down enough so he doesn't feel the need to mess the house. we started Riley on it when he was 5 months...and his own major growth has already helped our weaning as we haven't ever increased the dosage...one bonus. we also went through a behaviorist prior to the meds, which didn't work for us, i think it was just way too spiraled out of control. but i would suggest seeking out alternatives such as a behaviorist before doing the meds, but don't rule them out...their use in conjunction with behavioral modification is the best way to go i believe.

 

[Champ's Papa]

Did Riley ever experience any side effects from the drug? What dose did you give him and at what frequency?? Is the drug very costly? I will obviously consult my vet before taking any action, but would like to have some ideas and feedback before doing so.
You have been very helpful!
I'd love to hear from anyone else with experience treating with clomipramine.
Thanks so much!

 

[Grimmja]

he had no side effects, he started on 25 mg twice a day and 3 weeks into it went to 50 mg twice a day and he's stayed on that dosage...we pay about $45 which includes a $5 dispensing fee for a bottle which lasts us a little over 2 months...i have been my husband's barber since riley's been on his meds, and the $15 he spent every month just about covers the meds

 

[Champ's Papa]

Grimmja,
Thanks so much for the info! It is really comforting to communicate with people in similiar situations.
One last question: How long after the initial treatment did it take for you to see results; was there no improvement after 3 weeks and this is why you increased the dosage?? Also, how did you decide that it was time to wean Riley off the medication??
Thanks again!!!

 

[Grimmja]

our vet told us not to expect anything until 2-3 weeks after being on the medication. we saw teeny tiny baby steps after just a week or two, those steps were when we were with him...he didn't start making major progress when we left him for about 2-3 weeks. we didn't increase because we saw no results, i can't remember why actually, maybe we started small just to ease into it? our vet told us we can start weaning when we're happy with where we're at, we're almost there...we've left him successfully for 3 1/2 hours...i would like to try up to 6 hours this week maybe before we start weaning.

separation anxiety is a hard thing...i remember feeling soooooooo isolated and like i was trapped at home because of a dog...with a 1 1/2 year old son at home too, it got to be pretty suffocating and frustrating to put it nicely, so i know where you're at! hang in there, investigate it further with your vet...but know the medication is there for stuff like this, and it really does work