PETS at risk of self-harm are increasingly being prescribed anti-depressants because they cannot discuss problems in their lives with others, a leading veterinarian says.

Zoo and wildlife medicine specialist with the UK’s Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Romain Pizzi, told the Telegraph that more pets were being prescribed Prozac.

Tropical birds such as parrots seemed to have been the most affected by depression, Mr Pizzi told the newspaper.

But Mr Pizzi said anti-depressants were only used in the most extreme of cases.

News.com.au

What bothers me most is the greediness of the pharmaceutical companies to jump on the band wagon. Diet pills for dogs? Guess what the remedy is. These folk should not own pets.

Quote:

Some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies have also recognised the need for anti-depressants for animals. Last year, Eli Lilly released a chewable anti-depressant for dogs onto the US market. The manufacturers even gave the “Reconcile” drug a beef flavour. Pfizer has also created a diet drug for dogs, as well as motion-sickness medicine for all pets.

There's even health insurance available for them and full on animal hospitals here

My first reaction is to laugh at this. But then I read the part about birds, and that's the pet I know the most about. I will admit parrot's do seem to have a unique personality and they CAN suffer from what appears to be depression. They'll self mutilate and harm themselves unless the "stress" is corrected - be it lack of physical activity, diet, or lack of involvement with their family (owners).

I tend to think of dogs, cats, etc as "less" than birds, but I guess all animals are prone to the same whims as people. We're animals too.

I do agree that a lot of folks take this WAY to far. Some animals I just don't believe have evolved enough to mentally take on that kind of processing upstairs. Primates, Dolphins, Birds, etc maybe... my dog, I don't think so.

The world and people are very funny...