Is SA and depression the same thing?

[trdavis]

Is SA and depression the same thing and can dogs have depression. I was reading in another post that SA they usually are destructive, etc... But our fox terrier isn't like that she's more like depressed. My husband has been working storm duty in texas for a while and Sissy (fox terrier) is just missing him so bad I think. She isn't eating much and just lays around. She will go outside but won't play. I'm getting worried and have no idea what to do.

 

[Jan]

No, I would say that they definitely are not the same thing. It does sound like Sissy is depresssed. It sounds like she really misses your husband. Try and get Sissy involved in what you are doing. Give her lots of attention and take her for lots of walks. Hopefully she will snap out of it she will decide that life isn't so bad without your husband around.

Good luck!

 

[tcarlisle]

Ever considered a raw diet? My somewhat old dog really perked up after changing to raw. There is nothing my dog likes more than his raw food. Do anything you can to get the dog to eat, because nutrition is always important, but in your case it is really important to help the dog's brain balance chemicals. Likewise with physical exercise.

Pop in the holistic care forum and you might find some threads on depression and probably some folks talking about the use of St John's Wort on dogs.

There are blues and there is depression. Blues would be when the dog has sad days, just like us. But when this lasts weeks or months, it is probably full scale depression. You can cheer up a dog with blues, but probably not a dog with full depression -- meds (or herbs) are necessary to boost serotonin in the brain.

 

[trdavis]

Interesting. I didn't even know dogs could get depression. I've tried to take her out and walk and play with her but she isn't interested. Won't walk just sits around even if we are outside. I tried putting hubby on speaker phone and she got excited the first couple of times but after that she figured he wasn't here and wasn't interested.

It's weird and cute that even the kids have noticed. They love on her more and try to play with her. This morning my youngest didn't want to go to school he just wanted to cuddle with Sissy, because "Mom she needs me" So sweet. Anyhow, hubby is finally coming home sometime today so I'm hoping he can bring her back to life. I really miss my sweet dog.