I'll be honest - the more recent stats aren’t looking great.
We weaned off Fluoxetine and started Sertraline. We're just coming up to the 6 week mark so still technically within the loading period. We started Gabapentin and Meloxicam and have been adding Sileo for grooming appointments.
Obviously the environment does not remain constant which is why it can be so difficult to gauge the effectiveness of medication by tracking alone.
We've got some new big dog neighbours which will have definitely had an impact. We've got a new groomer. His daycare days have been a bit sporadic. Plus the usual unavoidable triggers.
The tracking only tells part of the story.
Despite the reactions increasing, it 'feels' better than it did. His reactions seem less intense and he (mostly) recovers quickly.
I do think Sertraline is a better fit for George than Fluoxetine. His appetite is so much better, and he seems more playful and just generally happier. He is more confident exploring on walks or in Sniffspots. He hasn't planted his feet and been reluctant to move for quite a long time. I think the pain meds are helping with that too.
He's made some improvements with triggers although the distance still has to be far away.
I've been reviewing the times of the day when his reactions are highest. He is more reactive in the late afternoons and early evenings than he has been, and hasn't rested as well at these times.
We have the option of increasing the Gabapentin slightly in the evening (he is currently on the minimum dose) so I am considering trying that.
He still struggles outside the front of the house (running the neighbour gauntlet) so I continue the search to find a way to help him through that. The peanut butter wooden spoon is slowly helping I think, apart from when we return from daycare when he is so excited (and his situational meds will have worn off).
Overall, despite the stats not looking great, I think we stay the course for now.
