psychiatric drugs???

[IluvABbeef]

I just got a new topic from my teacher in one of my courses (An Sc 376 ;Animal Behaviour and Welfare) for a "class discussion" and couldn't help it but post on Cattle Today to see what yall thought about this. Heck, I didn't even know what board to post this on...

Anyway, here's what he said:

...the use of psychiatric drugs (antidepressants etc.) in animals. What do you think?

:shock:

First off, I have never heard about anything like that, and I just think that the only animals they ever use this is on mice for research purposes...correct me if I'm wrong...

All opinoins, crazy, good, bad, whatever, are welcome.

 

[mystery74]

I just got a new topic from my teacher in one of my courses (An Sc 376 ;Animal Behaviour and Welfare) for a "class discussion" and couldn't help it but post on Cattle Today to see what yall thought about this. Heck, I didn't even know what board to post this on...

Anyway, here's what he said:

...the use of psychiatric drugs (antidepressants etc.) in animals. What do you think?

:shock:

First off, I have never heard about anything like that, and I just think that the only animals they ever use this is on mice for research purposes...correct me if I'm wrong...

All opinoins, crazy, good, bad, whatever, are welcome.

What on earth would you use it for in a cow? do they see "dead" people? :lol2: :lol2:
You say this was in a class? are you studying to become a vet? for large animals or small? I am in the process of signing up and really excited,

 

[IluvABbeef]

I just got a new topic from my teacher in one of my courses (An Sc 376 ;Animal Behaviour and Welfare) for a "class discussion" and couldn't help it but post on Cattle Today to see what yall thought about this. Heck, I didn't even know what board to post this on...

Anyway, here's what he said:

...the use of psychiatric drugs (antidepressants etc.) in animals. What do you think?

:shock:

First off, I have never heard about anything like that, and I just think that the only animals they ever use this is on mice for research purposes...correct me if I'm wrong...

All opinoins, crazy, good, bad, whatever, are welcome.

What on earth would you use it for in a cow? do they see "dead" people? :lol2: :lol2:
You say this was in a class? are you studying to become a vet? for large animals or small? I am in the process of signing up and really excited,

Yeah, this is in a class(well, its an online discussion the U of A's "WebCT" course whateveryoucalllthemthings...a class called An Sc 376:Animal Behaviour and Welfare (yes, welfare)
this course is actually one of my "options" that I wanted to take as a part of my major, and it is important for me if/when I do want to go into vet med.

Okay, what are your thoughts on this psychiatric drug stuff, anyone??!!

 

[ollie']

Thorazine is fairly common for calming show cattle without giving them a droopy look.
http://psyweb.com/Drughtm/jsp/chlor.jsp

 

[AngusLimoX]

We produce FOOD.

The less drugs the better. Plain and simple.

( But maybe it will helpful to those MG folks and the loons they raise! ). :lol:

 

[Vicky the vet]

Psychiatric drugs are seldom used by responsible food producers, but are more commonly used in small animals. Consider amitryptilline, clomipramine, etc as drugs used in behavioural problems in small animals. If you want further details, PM me...

 

[Alice]

My ex husband is a veterinarian. He was asked on more than one occassion to prescribe thorazine for show calves...by the county extension agent of the county I was living in at the time...NOT Erath County.

Alice

 

[IluvABbeef]

I now realize I should've posted this on the Everything Else board (woops :oops: :oops: ), and yes Vicki, I also think this is mainly for the small animals like dogs and cats and such. And possibly horses too. Cattle? Umm, I'm not so sure on that...

But see, I was asking if it's right or wrong (again, welfare issue) to pump these antidepressants or psychiatric drugs into animals?

You know, (trying not to answer the question here) some people believe that animals don't have feelings and can't decifer pain in the emotional/mental sense that humans can.

And yet there are other folks that believe that animals do have these emotional "feelings", that they do get depressed and all, and should have the psychotic meds put in them to make them "feel better" so to speak. And yeah, to fix behavioural problems. Sometimes I think that these folks who believe in that sort of thing get waaay over their heads...JMO

I hope you get where I'm going with this, cause it is a strange topic to be discussing about, but strange in a kinda interesting way...

 

[msscamp]

( But maybe it will helpful to those MG folks and the loons they raise! ). :lol:

Not meaning to hijack the thread but - I'm not going to state that we don't get the occasional loon but, by and large, our cattle don't have a problem in the world with a stranger walking among them - can you say the same? Unless you've been around these cattle extensively, perhaps it would be best to refrain from speculating about things you have no experience with.

 

[AngusLimoX]

You know, (trying not to answer the question here) some people believe that animals don't have feelings and can't decifer pain in the emotional/mental sense that humans can.

And yet there are other folks that believe that animals do have these emotional "feelings", that they do get depressed and all, and should have the psychotic meds put in them to make them "feel better" so to speak. And yeah, to fix behavioural problems. Sometimes I think that these folks who believe in that sort of thing get waaay over their heads...JMO

Sorry msscamp, was meant as a joke, good natured jab.

Recently read an article by some woman who has weaseled her way to a position in a govt authority on animal welfare. She is pushing organics.

She states cattle have the ability to feel a "wide range of emotions" and are capable of "advanced reasoning".

She says livestock producers need to consider cattles' emotions and intelligence when handling cattle.

So I went out to the yard. Watched one cow crap on anothers head, while another went up and touched the electric fence 3 times. Have had them try to jump through a window when there was an open door 3 feet away.( I am sure you all have cattle intelligence stories ).

This lady also thinks all livestock operations need to be inspected and licensed to ensure the emotional well being of cattle.

 

[dun]

Maybe some of Willies shrooms would be a good feed additive for unruly animals.

dun

 

[ALACOWMAN]

i never heard of it before till i married a vet. if i had a goofy ass dog their was only one pill id give it . but those small animal lovers love too spend untold fortunes on em

 

[cowpunk'd]

Years ago I read a book about dog behavioural problems written by a vet. He described various bizarre behaviors, the situations that preceded them, and the emotional distress of the owners. The remedy for every situation was Prozac! Seemed to work every time.

 

[Chris H]

I've heard of prozac and similar things prescribed for dogs behavioral issues. It works. I know a dog(belongs to a friend) who appears to have some mental issues and would probably benefit from drugs. But the dog is not destructive to property or itself so the owner humors the dog. I know another dog(different friend) who is neurotic, and destructive; but that owner needs meds, too. I don't know if meds would help the second one.

I think if you have a pet with a neurosis that can't be fixed with behavioral training, then yes, give it some meds. The alternative is to put it down.
If we're talking animals intended for food, whether a steer or a brood cow, just finish the animal and harvest it for food.
Don't propagate those genes, in pet or food animals.

And don't regulate too much to see if a cow has a 'happy life'. Humane treatment can be somewhat defined, and there are already laws about mistreating animals. But if a cow/pig/chicken is 'happy', they'll produce more and that will reward the farmer/rancher for good husbandry. That's the best way to regulate an animals well being.