Sarge is on an anti-depressant as of Friday. :-0
I was expecting to pickup an appetite stimulant, so I was surprised to read the bottle and see anti-depressant. My regular vet had suggested Mirtazapine when I took Sarge in to have him examine Sarge’s back legs. I mentioned that Sarge’s appetite was decreased, and that’s when Dr. Fowler recommended that I try Mirtazapine. He said it was an appetite stimulant but that it also made the dog “feel better” (and he pointed to his head). Now I know what he was talking about.
Mirtazapine is a human anti-depressant and some of the side effects for people are increased appetite and weight gain. Vets prescribe it for the beneficial side effects, and the mood enhancement comes as a bonus.
I was driven to call the oncologist about Sarge’s loss of appetite this past Friday morning when Sarge turned away from his morning meal, which was this yummy looking (and very expensive) steak soft dog food topped with rotisserie chicken. At that point, I was seriously thinking about stopping the chemo before the 16th treatment because I was afraid of what the last round of Adriamycin would do to him and his appetite. It would not be good if we stopped the cancer but then Sarge starved to death.
So I called the oncologist’s number and left a message about trying Mirtazapine (or something like it), and they called back and said I could go ahead. They called in the prescription, and we started the drug Friday night.
After that first dose, I could see an improvement in Sarge’s appetite in just a couple of hours. Plus he seemed more alert. Things seemed to be going really well over the past couple of days, but when I got home this evening (Sunday), Sarge was laying on the floor near the door, and he did not get up to greet me. He just laid there. Oh no! Flashback to the night of the high fever.
What to do, what to do? I decided to test him by suggesting a treat. Bingo! He jumped right up and ran into the kitchen. 🙂
He’s been laying around this evening while I made some yummy turkey meatballs with spinach, rolled oats, and shredded cheese (with a side of baked sweet potatoes). He ate his dinner (kibble topped with the yummy stuff) with enthusiasm. And we also went on a long and perky walk tonight (with Sarge as navigator). So I think he is okay.
I read online that drowsiness is the most common side effect of Mirtazapine for dogs. So I guess that is what is going on. I’m assuming that it may take some time for his body to adjust to the new drug. I wonder if I will have to wean him off it when we think it is not needed.
Note: We are still doing the 15 mg of Pepcid, which hopefully is helping with the sour stomach.
I hate to put Sarge on these extra drugs but I was also hating to see him not eating. I’m also hoping the Mirtazapine will revive the Sarge “spark,” which I’ve been missing for many weeks now.
If this Mirtazapine really helps Sarge, I may have to get my own prescription.
One for Sarge, one for me. One for Sarge, two for me…
Greyt Matters 