Animal meds

Dr. Karen Sueda, L.A.’s only veterinary behaviorist, meets with a client joined by one of the client’s dogs. One of the client’s dogs (not the one pictured) has acute separation anxiety, and has been known to tear up the house as well as injure herself. (Myung J. Chun / LAT)

Sept. 15, 2014 2:24 PM PT

Amy Weber carries in her dog, Sam, who was a little apprehensive about the photographer’s camera. The 10-year-old dog has acute separation anxiety. Sam is now on the anti-depressant amitriptyline, and Xanax. (Myung J. Chun / LAT)

Dogs, like Sam, and other animals with separation anxiety have been prescribed Xanax as well as anti-depressant medication. (Myung J. Chun / LAT)

Dr. Karen Sueda (right) watches as Amy Weber walks out the door during a behavior modification exercise with her dog, Sam (right) and also joined by her other dog Scout (left). (Myung J. Chun / LAT)

In a particularly bad episode of separation anxiety, Sam (outside left) tore up a window frame in the living room of Amy Weber’s house in Los Angeles. (Myung J. Chun / LAT)

Serendipity, a 5-year-old Calico cat, spends some time at home with her 86-year-old owner, Bob Stewart. Serendipity has been on Prozac for two years after she used to attack her owners to the point where they were bleeding. But on Prozac, she is all mellow. (Béatrice de Géa / LAT)

Serendipity sits calmly with her prescription. (Béatrice de Géa / LAT)

Fernanda Gray and Elliot Goldberg were at their wits end trying to cope with a cat, Shadow, who constantly sprayed on the furniture for a couple of years. Eventually Shadow went on anti-depressant drugs, and was cured of the habit. (Brian Vander Brug / LAT)