Selegiline is a type B monoamine oxidase inhibitor used in human medicine for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, it is a drug that is also licensed for use in veterinary medicine. Specifically, it is used for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction syndrome in geriatric dogs, because it has been shown to improve short-term memory, reduce signs of cognitive dysfunction and increase longevity in dogs with this pathology.
If you want to know more about selegiline in dogs, join us in the next article on our site where we will talk about dose, uses and side effects of this drug.
What is selegiline for dogs?
Selegiline is a drug belonging to the group of inhibitors of the enzyme monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B), which has the following effects:
- By selectively inhibiting the enzyme MAO-B in the brain, it manages to increase the levels of dopamine and other catecholamines in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus, which is deficient in patients with dementia.
- Has a slight antidepressant effect.
- Suppresses the oxidative effect associated with dopamine and reduces the load of free radicals, which gives it a neuroprotective effect.
Currently, only selegiline is marketed as a tablet for use in humans However, veterinary professionals may also prescribe this drug using the so-called “cascade prescription”, which consists of prescribing a drug that is not authorized for a specific animal species when there is a therapeutic gap.
What is selegiline used for in dogs?
Selegiline is used for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction syndrome in geriatric dogs Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (SCD) is a degenerative disease similar to Alzheimer's disease in people, which affects geriatric dogs and produces a wide variety of behavioral disturbances. Although the precise mechanism by which selegiline induces improvement in dogs with CDS is not fully understood, it is believed to be due to an increase in dopamine and other catecholamines in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.
It should be mentioned that the use of selegiline has been studied in the treatment of canine Cushing's syndrome of pituitary origin. Selegiline produces an increase in dopamine levels, which is capable of inhibiting the exacerbated production of ACTH that occurs during pituitary cushing. The results of these studies discourage the use of selegiline as the only treatment for pituitary cushing's due to its low efficacy. However, it may be advisable to use selegiline in combination with other drugs (such as trilostane), as it appears to improve activity level and quality of life in dogs with pituitary cushing's disease.
In this other article we talk in depth about the symptoms and treatment of Cushing's syndrome in dogs.
Dose of selegiline in dogs
The dose of 0.5 mg per kg of weight per day has been shown to be effective in improving short-term memory, reducing signs of cognitive dysfunction and increase longevity in elderly dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome. Likewise, the administration of selegiline is recommended for dogs in the morning, especially in dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome that present alterations in the sleep/wake cycle.
Response to therapy may be evident within a few days, although most caregivers notice improvement within the first two weeks of treatment.
Selegiline Side Effects in Dogs
At the recommended dose, side effects have been reported in a small number of treated patients However, as with any pharmacological treatment, It is important to attend to the possible appearance of adverse effects and go to the veterinarian if they occur.
In the specific case of selegiline in dogs, the possible side effects that can be observed are:
- Arterial hypertension.
- Sedation or excitement, depending on the patient.
- Serotonergic syndrome: the inhibition of the enzyme monoamine oxidase prevents the metabolism of many of the enzymes present in food, which can activate serotonin receptors and produce this syndrome, characterized by hyperthermia, muscle stiffness, tremors, gastrointestinal signs, etc.
Contraindications of selegiline in dogs
Although selegiline is a drug that is licensed for veterinary use, there are some situations in which its use can be counterproductive. Next, we collect the main contraindications of selegiline in dogs:
- Allergy or hypersensitivity to selegiline or to any of the excipients that accompany the active ingredient
- Gastric or duodenal ulcers.
- Dogs being treated with tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (such as fluoxetine), serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and norepinephrine (such as venlafaxine), sympathomimetics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and/or opioids.
For all of the above, it is very important to administer selegiline in dogs under veterinary supervision, we should never self-medicate our dog because we could worsen his situation
