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Exhaust Other Options Before Going to the Pharmacy

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Sunday, February 3, 2008; Page LZ13

Dear Dr. Fox:

I read from time to time in your column that you advocate drugs such as Valium and Xanax for pets. Do you not think it cruel and unethical to use these mind-altering drugs on animals? Unlike people, they cannot be told what is happening to them under the influence.

D.K.

Minneapolis

You raise several important points. First, I suggest the use of widely prescribed human psychotropic drugs on animal patients for various behavioral-emotional and cognitive-affective disorders as a last resort. Safer and often more effective treatments exist: changes in environment and diet, therapeutic activities, behavior modification, change in attitude and a better understanding from the owners. The application of alternative therapies -- herbal tinctures and essences, acupuncture and massage therapy -- is also effective. I strongly advocate the alternatives because they are safer, and some offer thousands of years of medical application and clinical evidence.

Dear Dr. Fox:


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