Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection

January 2024 Maddie's Monthly Behavior Meeting:  Better Living Through Chemistry -- Helping Shelter Dogs Cope

Guest Speaker: Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB

Better Living Through Chemistry – Helping Shelter Dogs Cope Fear, anxiety, and stress are inevitable factors in a shelter dog’s life. Behaviors are often exaggerated or inhibited when dogs are under duress, making a clear picture of their true behavior difficult, sometimes impossible, to see. Fast-acting antianxiety medications may help dogs cope, allowing them to show their true personalities and enjoy better welfare. This presentation will discuss frequently used medication to help tackle fear, anxiety and stress in shelter dogs. We will walk through the decision-making process, mechanism of action, doses and timing of each drug, as well as when and how to make a safe and appropriate adoption weaning plan.  Outcomes: After this presentation attendees should be able to 1. Identify behavioral concerns that warrant psychopharmacological intervention, 2. Make sound decisions on which medications to use and how to adjust that med plan according to patient response.  And 3. Create a safe and effective weaning plan for each medication.