Published: Thursday, 28th February, 2008 7:50am

Polly could be pepped up with pills

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PETS need Prozac too.

Experts reckoned this week that Prozac may only be a placebo for people – but Romain Pizzi, a vet at Inglis Veterinary Surgeons in Dunfermline, thinks that it could be of help to our feathered friends.

Mr Pizzi, who has starred in animal TV shows and has seen cases as bizarre as obese skunks and naughty parrots, said exotic birds like parrots and cockatoos could get depressed.

He said, 'It"s not that they are always depressed but can suffer from anxiety disorders. We see a lot of exotic species like parrots which are feather pulling, screaming or self mutilating. They can be given Prozac, which allows the brain to rewire. It"s a last resort and it is variable in effect.'

Mr Pizzi said depression could strike a bird in a lonely cage with no toys.

'They need mental stimulation,' he explained.

Adam Tjolle, a partner at Inglis, who has featured in the BBC"s "Animal Hospital", said depression can also be a problem for the more common domestic pet.

He said, 'We avoid Prozac with cats and dogs but they can get depressed when they can"t show their natural behaviour.

'They can be affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder on the dark nights where they are getting shorter walks.

'And dogs can also get overweight when they are depressed because they eat more.

'Cats and rabbits can also get depressed. Pets can feel bereavement when they lose their partners. They can die earlier.'

He said depresseion often struck pets during firework season and at Christmas and New Year.

'They become very wary of going outside,' he said. 'We put them on beta blockers.'