Use of mirtazapine in the treatment of canine behaviour problems: A review of 32 cases

Abstract

BackgroundCanine behaviour problems seen by speciality behavioural medicine services often involve chronic anxiety disorders that have resulted in maladaptation of the individual to its environment. Common stressors include the presence of other individuals (other dogs or people), noise and being alone. The treatment of these behavioural problems usually includes a combination of behaviour modification, environmental modification and biological therapies. Within the latter, anxiolytic drugs such as clomipramine or fluoxetine have proven useful.MethodsHere, we present a retrospectively analysed series of 32 cases that were treated with the anxiolytic drug mirtazapine, which is widely used in human medicine but has not previously been reported for the treatment of behavioural problems in dogs (although it is marketed as an appetite stimulant in cats). Cases included dogs with a range of anxiety‐related behavioural problems.ResultsEighty‐one percent of dogs that presented with a behavioural problem showed improvement and suspected adverse effects were mild and tolerable.LimitationsFurther studies are required to isolate this result from the other therapeutic measures and to compare its efficacy with other drugs.ConclusionMirtazapine appears to be a suitable and safe option for the treatment of anxiety‐related behavioural problems in dogs.