Anxious dog; different meds

It's been awhile since I posted! We've had a rocky year since Bug's near-death-experience. Current theory is that her barbiturate OD caused some permanent damage. Bug has been anxious and withdrawn. Previously chalked up to pain from her hip surgery, she was on NSAIDs and gabapentin, but lots of pain meds vs. no pain meds, we were seeing the same behaviors - sleeping alone in the basement most of the day, lunging at cats for no reason, etc. Not the friendly, happy-go-lucky Bug we love.

Sleeping peacefully next to Sulley

So we went through SEVERAL appointments checking out her eyes, for signs of PRA or SARDS. Neither were seen, and Bug's eyes passed with flying colors. After serious discussions of euthanasia, DVM-to-the-rescue Abigail suggested cutting down on her dose of fluoxetine and and trying a TCA, amitriptyline. Because it's given more often, I have been giving her half doses of fluoxetine BID with the TCA. After the very first day of treatment, Bug has not lunged at a cat!!

We visited friends in Columbus overnight this past weekend and Bug was super excited to see her dog and human friends, joyfully greeting everyone and relaxing (sleeping and chewing) when appropriate. I realized when I heard her chewing a cow hoof while I was falling asleep that I hadn't seen her chew in MONTHS! Yay for the return of normal relaxed-dog behaviors!

I am SO HAPPY to have my Bug back. She's FUN again! A goofy, happy mutt that can relax and cuddle in bed, recover from another dog's snark, and just generally live a happy doggy life. I don't know if this med protocol will work for the rest of her life or if we'll have to adjust it until we run out of options. I'm just happy to see her personality again. It's so true that you really don't realize how bad something has gotten until it's better!

She is still a Bug - stuck on the stairs,
because baby gates kill Bugs.