Cost of clomicalm

[KenF]

I didn't know where else to post this, but I'm considering asking my vet for clomicalm to help with separation anxiety, at least while I work on desensitization and such.

I heard that it is quite expensive. Can anyone give me an idea of how much they've paid for it?

 

[Grimmja]

if my memory is right, i think we spent about $45 on a bottle, which lasted about 2 months, maybe a little less. works wonders when combined with some behavioral modification stuff, well worth the money in my mind!! we had our dog on it for about 4 or 5 months, inlcuding the very slow wean off period, so actually it took about 2 1/2-3 months to see him be where we wanted.

good luck!

 

[BeckyNC]

My girl Tae takes 80 mg a day. A 30-day supply costs me $45.

Grimmja--were you giving 40mg/day?

I think Drs Foster and Smith might have it for less, but your vet has to send the rx to them, if I remember correctly.

 

[hanley]

We talked about this drug with our vet. & he did not recommend this at all,he really talked us out of trying it.He said hang on for another 6mths & we did,but I can understand , I was about at my wits end! Hanley

 

[KenF]

We talked about this drug with our vet. & he did not recommend this at all,he really talked us out of trying it.He said hang on for another 6mths & we did,but I can understand , I was about at my wits end! Hanley

Yeah, I've hung on for six months four times already! We're going on two years of behaviour modification.

 

[BeckyNC]

Hanley--I think it depends on the situation. I, too, worked on things for 5 mos before going for the Clomicalm. I'd prefer to avoid all meds due to potential long-term side effects and $$, but the medication has made a difference and hopefully we can do our behavioral work soon and get her off it. It's a short-term solution to fix what could be a difficult long-term problem without it.

 

[kflanaga]

Hanley--I think it depends on the situation. I, too, worked on things for 5 mos before going for the Clomicalm. I'd prefer to avoid all meds due to potential long-term side effects and $$, but the medication has made a difference and hopefully we can do our behavioral work soon and get her off it. It's a short-term solution to fix what could be a difficult long-term problem without it.

Has it made a noticeable difference? I've been working for a long time, and if this helps even a touch for a short period of time, it would be worth it to me.

 

[BeckyNC]

It has made some difference. Tae's problem all along is she urinates and occasionally would poop when I am at work. I am unable to crate her b/c she panics and drools in the crate, but that's another story. ...she never did anything destructive whatsoever in the house.

Since going on Clomicalm, Tae stopped acting nervous when I prepared to leave for work. She would lick her lips, which is a sign of nervousness, but stopped. She would also stick to me like glue whenever I was home. Now, that's not abnormal for a Boxer, but she will now wander upstairs in the evenings and snooze on my bed for up to 3 hours. That's something she NEVER did before.

Tae continued to urinate in the house until two weeks ago (been on the med several months). I allowed her access to my bedroom (when I'm at work) and I think she spends most of the day sleeping on my bed. She hasn't gone potty in the house since. That's slightly complicating things b/c my assignment from the behaviorist is to set up a camera and videotape Tae after I leave for work. Going potty within 20-30 minutes after departure is what we are looking for to confirm sep anxiety, though it is not out of the question that she might just be anxious in general (will depend on when she goes potty per my behaviorist).

If you do start medication, keep in mind it will take 4-6 weeks to reach peak levels in the body. If no difference is seen at that point, you may need to up the dose. Tae started on 40 mg, but we upped it to 80 mg. It made her sleepy at first, but she adjusted--thank gosh--I felt guilty. It has taken me so long to do the videotape thing b/c I had knee surgery in early Nov and things were hectic for me in Nov and Dec as a result.

One alternative that my behaviorist recommended is DAP.

http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/behavior/a/dogbehaviorprob.htm

http://www.biovets.com/behavior_modifiers_9_ctg.htm

She said it has worked for some dogs. I also know the local independent pet store will allow me to return it should I buy it and find it does not work. Just a thought...

 

[Grimmja]

i think we gave riley 25 mg 2 times a day at first, then bumped in up to 50 mg twice a day ( i think), this was as he got bigger. then weaned down relatively quickly, but the weaning itslef was a slow process. altogether we were on it for about 6 months, and it was so well worth it. it's like it gave the behavior mod stuff a huge kick in the butt. just behavior stuff was too slow for our situation as we were all going completley mad. so it was either pull all my hair out or try the meds, and i haven't regretted it once. now that he's med free, he's turned into the perfect dog. along with the meds, we also stopped crating him when we left. and we trust him fine free in our apartment, doors shut and absolutley everything picked up of course haven't had a mishap in quite some time...