Posted on 06/28/2002 5:47:50 AM PDT by Cagey
Belgian scientists have found Prozac can help cure aggressive dogs.
The drug is believed to work in the same way as it does in humans by altering the uptake of the brain chemical serotonin.
Scientists hope the drug will cut the number of dog attacks and lead to fewer animals being destroyed.
Katlijne Peremans, of the University of Gent, said: "It has to do with the way brain signals are transferred from one brain cell to another.
"When the link between the cells is missing, due to a failure caused by a lack of serotonin, the dog shows a sudden and inexplicable aggressive behaviour."
Peremans claims she is the first to draw links between aggressive behaviour in humans and animals.
She told Het Volk: "The medicine diminishes fear which causes the dog to bite. By taking the medicine the dog will think first before acting."
In 1999, the US Food and Drug Administration licensed a Prozac-like drug for treating depressed dogs.
The meat flavoured pill, called Clomicalm, is derived from the anti-drepessant Anafranil.
(signed)
Maceman's Cat
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