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Top 5 popular prescription drugs to treat anxiety in dogs – Dogster


If your dog shivers and walks around during a thunderstorm or becomes nauseous while driving to a place considered scary like a vet clinic, the remedy isn’t as simple as giving him medication. anti-anxiety.

Realize that a one-pill cure for all anxiety is not currently available to dogs.

Dr Lisa Radosta, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist who runs the program, said: “Anxiety issues in dogs are complex and it’s not like one person might need to take them. insulin to treat diabetes. Florida Veterinary Behavior Service in West Palm Beach and Coral Springs, Florida.

Equally helpful is to give your veterinarian specific information — not opinions — and, if possible, share short videos of your dog exhibiting anxious behaviors. worrying worry.

“Saying your dog is crazy isn’t much help to your vet in trying to diagnose and identify possible solutions,” she says. “Try being specific, like, ‘My dog ​​barks at every truck that passes by the window’ or ‘My dog ​​ran to the bathroom to hide when the storm approached.’”

Treatment strategies for anxious dogs

In general, effective treatment of behavior problems in dogs may require any or all of the following strategies:

  • Assess the dog’s physical health, as anxious actions may stem from an undiagnosed illness
  • Change the environment to reduce the trigger of the identified behavior
  • Incorporating behavioral modification methods takes time
  • Prescription drugs to change neurochemistry in the brain to reduce anxiety in dogs

Let’s take a closer look at the five most common canine anxiety medications.

  1. Alprazolam

These are sedatives and tranquilizers. Brand names include Xanax, Niravam and Alprazolam Intensol.

“This is a fast-acting medication that should be taken just before a predictable scary event, such as a brief hurricane in Florida,” Dr. Radosta said.

Best use: Alprazolam works best when taken 30 minutes to an hour before a known event that could cause your dog to panic or become anxious. Situations where it should not be used include dogs who are pregnant, nursing, the elderly, or being treated for serious kidney or liver disease. Consult your veterinarian.

Best management: This medicine is in pill or liquid form. It starts working quickly with effects ending within 24 hours.

Possible side effects: Some dogs taking this medication may appear drowsy or hungrier or stumble slightly.

If skipping a dose: Do not double the dose. Just give the correct amount for the next scheduled dose.

Interactions with other drugs: Use caution if your dog is currently taking medications such as antacids, blood pressure medications, fluoxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants. This is only part of the list. Your veterinarian can advise whether drug interactions are a concern for your dog.

  1. clomipramine

This is a tricyclic antidepressant. Brand names include Clomicalm, Anafranil, Tranquax and Zoiral.

“For example, a well-known brand, Clomicalm, is approved for use in dogs with separation anxiety, fear anxiety, and stress,” says Dr. “As a tricyclic antidepressant, it’s intended to act.”

Best use: This medication has been approved for use in dogs dealing with anxiety, aggression, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Situations where it should not be used include pregnant or lactating dogs, the elderly, or people with heart problems, diabetes, and liver disease. Consult your veterinarian.

Best management: Clomipramine is usually taken as a capsule or tablet, but it is sometimes given in liquid form. You should monitor food and ensure that your dog has access to fresh water while taking this medication.

Possible side effects: Some dogs may experience constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, vomiting or loss of appetite, fatigue, or difficulty urinating.

If skipping a dose: You can safely wait to give the medicine at your next scheduled time. Never double the dose.

Interactions with other drugs: Clomipramine should not be given if your dog is also taking tricyclic antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (including some flea collars). Use caution if your dog is also taking an NSAID, SSRI, tramadol, or trazodone. This is only part of the list. Tell your veterinarian about your dog’s diet and any medications, supplements, vitamins, etc., so you know if drug interactions are a concern for your dog.

  1. Fluoxetine

Best known by the brand name Prozac (as well as Reconcile and Sarafem), this is an antidepressant medication.

“This medication is intended for use in dogs who are facing long-term problems or those with general anxiety where it is difficult to predict when a pre-dose should be administered,” says Dr. Radosta. stressful situations. “Dog owners need to know that Reconcile was recently approved as a brand.” She recommends using brands rather than generics. She adds: “Reconciliation is inexpensive, and your dog deserves the best.”

Best use: Fluoxetine is prescribed to help relieve dog separation anxiety and other behavioral problems. Situations where it should not be used include dogs taking medication to treat seizures, puppies under 6 months of age, pregnant or lactating bitches, and pets with liver disease.

Best management: This medication is available in tablet, capsule, and liquid form.

Possible side effects: It is advisable to feed your dog with food to reduce the chances of your dog vomiting or having an upset stomach. Some dogs may become drowsy, shaky, panting, and have diarrhea.

If skipping a dose: Try to get your next dose when it is scheduled and do not inject any more doses.

Interactions with other drugs: Discuss possible concerns with your veterinarian if your dog wears a flea/mite collar or takes insulin, NSAIDs, anticoagulants, tramadol, tricyclic antidepressants, or trazodone. This is only part of the list. Discuss all of your dog’s medications (flea/mites, supplements, vitamins, prescription and OTC medications) and diet with your veterinarian to determine if drug interactions are present. should be a concern for your dog.

  1. Gabapentin

This is an anticonvulsant and pain reliever. Brand names include Aclonium, Equipax, Gantin, and Neurostil.

Dr Radosta adds: “This is an all-purpose anxiety reliever and nothing short of amazing. “This is a fear reliever with few side effects, so it should be a fearless drug. It can really be a lifesaver. It is well tolerated and works very well in cats.”

Best use: Gabapentin is often prescribed “off-label” by veterinarians and is used to treat anxiety and as an “additional medication” to treat pain, reports Dr. Robin Downingfounder Downing Animal Pain Management Center and director of the Windsor Veterinary Clinic in Windsor, Colorado. Situations where it should not be used include pregnant, lactating dogs or people with kidney disease.

Best management: This medication is available in capsule, tablet, or liquid form and can be taken with or without food. The best time to give is right before a meal.

Possible side effects: Gabapentin may make some dogs drowsy and unsteady on walks. But this is a short-acting drug that will be eliminated from the dog’s body within 24 hours.

If skipping a dose: You can safely wait and give the medicine at the next scheduled time. Never double the dose.

Interactions with other drugs: This is a relatively safe medication, but be sure to inform your veterinarian of other medications your dog is taking, especially antacids, hydrocodone, and morphine.

  1. Trazodone

This short-acting antidepressant has become popular among veterinarians to help dogs cope with anxiety, noise phobia, and stress. Brand names include Desyrel and Oleptro.

“After a veterinary publication did a good study on trazodone, many veterinarians started prescribing it and it became the preferred drug,” says Dr. Radosta. “Trazodone’s intended targeted effect is to calm your dog or make your dog drowsy – and not act like a four-legged zombie.”

Dr Downing added: “Most dogs will be relaxed and calm after taking trazodone, but some can be like a slightly drunk person after drinking alcohol. Therefore, please do not let your dog swim, run, hike, pick up, climb, or perform other activities that require balance and concentration while taking this medication.”

Please note that while trazodone is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in companion animals, it is usually prescribed by veterinarians in tablet form, known as an “outside” drug. trademark” for dogs and cats.

Best use: Give when needed to help your dog cope with a stressful situation, such as a vet visit or an impending thunderstorm. Peak effects can take up to three hours, and effects can last up to 24 hours, depending on the dog. Situations where it should not be used or should be used with caution include dogs with heart, kidney or liver problems, or pregnant dogs.

Best management: After your dog swallows the tablet, offer him food to speed up the absorption of trazodone in the body and prevent colic.

Possible side effects: Some dogs may experience constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, or dilated pupils.

If you skip a dose: If that happens, do not double the next dose.

Interactions with other drugs: Trazodone combines well with gabapentin. But drug interactions can occur if your dog is also taking diuretics, antihypertensives to control blood pressure, antiemetics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or Tramadol, an opioid used to control pain. This is only part of the list. Talk to your vet about whether drug interactions are a concern for your dog.

Store your dog’s medicine

For all of these medications, veterinarians recommend storing them in their original, airtight container in a kitchen drawer or another place out of reach of paws and always out of direct sunlight or humidity in the bathroom.

In the event that your dog overdoses or has any serious reaction to the medication, contact your veterinarian or the nearest emergency veterinary hospital promptly. You can also contact veterinary toxicologists working 24/7 at ASPCA Poison Control Hotline by calling 888-426-4435 or Pet Poisoning Helpline at 855-764-7661.

“I do not consider medication as a last resort in treating affective disorders in pets,” says Dr. Radosta. “I consider it kind and lovable. How long will your pet need to take this medicine? Sometimes it lasted for the rest of his life or sometimes for just six months. Drugs that have been shown to be safe when used with animals that alter moods can increase the quality of life of our pets. They deserve it.”

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