Vito on Diazepam

Vito has been taking Diazepam (Valium) for 2 weeks now to help with his car anxiety and general anxiety.  He is still taking Fluoxetine (Prozac) and Clonidine as well so Vito gets lots of cheese every day!

The changes in his car rides were very fast.  I even grabbed a dog bed and stuffed it between the seats to encourage him to lay his head down!

These pictures aren't a regular occurrence, but he is actually resting his head and sometimes even sleeping a handful of times.  I would say 75% of his car rides he has been taking treats and doing just light panting!  The other 25% of car rides he is at moderate panting although he has had a few more intense panic attacks as well.

Of course adding a new medication always comes with side effects.  I have definitely noticed that diazepam is in the same family as Xanax.  Like Xanax, it has increased his appetite a ton which is nice in some aspects but has also turned Vito into a more severe moocher and a poop eater.  And just like when he took Xanax, I'm noticing some of those zoned out moments where he looks stoned.  On the positive side, I don't think it's interfering with his ON switch as much.  Vito on Xanax was not at all excited for agility or playing with me.  Xanax Vito also would alternate between being very drunk and tipsy to it not having any effect at all.  Fingers are crossed that Valium Vito continues to get the positive side effects and no additional negatives.