Trazodone is rising to the top as veterinarian treatment to help dogs of all ages and breeds dealing with behavioral problems, including anxiety, noise phobia and stress. This antidepressant is considered a relatively safe and effective medication for calming anxious and fearful dogs and cats.
What is Trazodone for Dogs?
Technically, trazodone is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Its job is to allow the feel-good hormone serotonin to work more actively and effectively in the dog’s brain to help them feel less stressed and calmer.
Generally, trazodone is prescribed to dogs with situational anxiety, such as when their levels of fear, anxiety, and stress escalate during specific times and events, according to Dr. Downing, founder of the Downing Center for Animal Pain Management and director of the Windsor Veterinary Clinic in Windsor, Colorado. Dr. Downing is recognized as an international leader in the field of pain management in animals.
Is trazodone for human use?
Trazodone, as the generic name (brand names are Desyrel and Oleptro), was originally used in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia and major depression. Although not approved for use in companion animals by the US Food and Drug Administration, trazodone is often prescribed by veterinarians for dogs and cats as a so-called “off-label” drug.
Lisa Radosta, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist who runs Florida Veterinary Behavior Services in Southeast Florida, trazodone is commonly given to dogs as a white tablet. Dosage varies depending on the size of the pet and other factors. Less commonly, she adds, trazodone is prescribed in liquid or capsule form.
When to give trazodone to dogs?
Trazodone is commonly prescribed to assist dogs dealing with the following situations:
- Visible and uncontrollable shaking, drooling and possibly even urinating in the vet lobby while waiting for the exam. These symptoms of heightened stress continued during the veterinary examination.
- Anticipated noisy events, such as a thunderstorm or a fireworks celebration on July 4, are within earshot of dogs that fear such sounds.
- Expect to visit a stranger’s home, where a shy dog may cower and shiver at introductions.
- Scheduled home repairs or renovations by the construction team will alter the layout of the house, create loud noises from tools, and create strange scents for the anxious family dog.
- Planned family vacations by car. Long hours on the road and overnight stays in a pet-friendly inn can cause some dogs stress and anxiety because of strange sights, sounds, and smells.
- After surgery, the dog needs rest and limited activity to heal completely.
Are there any studies on trazodone for dogs?
In a 2016 study published in the AVMA Journal, a team of veterinarians led by Dr. Shana Gilbert-Gregory tested the effects of trazodone treatment on stress in imported dogs. institute. In the study, half of the 120 dogs were given trazodone, the other half were not. It was noted that dogs given the drug trazodone exhibited less frantic behaviors, such as lip-licking, panting, and whining, compared with dogs that were not given the drug.
Dogster reached out to top veterinarians who shared more details on trazodone and how to safely give it to your dog.
How much trazodone should I give my dog?
Trazodone is sold per tablet and requires a prescription. It is available in 50-, 100-, and 150-milligram sizes.
What is the best way to give trazodone to your dog?
Trazodone is a slow-release medication, so let your dog swallow the tablet whole rather than crushing it. Follow this with food. An empty stomach speeds up the absorption of trazodone in the body, which can make your dog feel nauseous and drowsy.
How should I safely store trazodone?
Veterinarians recommend keeping prescriptions in a sealed bottle, out of reach of your feet, such as in a kitchen drawer. Do not leave it on the counter in direct sunlight. It does not need to be refrigerated.
How long until it takes effect?
In general, the peak effects of trazodone can take up to three hours, depending on the dog, according to Dr. Downing. While you can’t always predict stressful events such as a sudden thunderstorm, you can plan doses for expected stressful situations, such as the occurrence of a storm. by the warden or a trip to the veterinary clinic.
How often can I feed my dog trazodone?
This medication can be safely given once a day or as needed, depending on your dog’s behavior problems and your veterinarian’s prescribing instructions. But it is not recommended to give a dose more than every eight hours. Some dogs only need this medication as a single, situational dose to help calm them down. If trazodone is used every day, it may lose its effectiveness over time.
What happens if I skip a dose or accidentally give my dog an extra dose of trazodone?
Dr. Downing warns: If you forget to give your dog a daily scheduled dose, do not double up on the next dose. Giving extra doses of trazodone can be dangerous. If your dog is receiving multiple doses of the supplement over a multi-day period, contact your veterinarian immediately for treatment recommendations.
How will my dog act after being given trazodone?
Most dogs will appear relaxed and calm. However, some people can look like someone who is a little bit drunk after drinking, Dr. Downing describes. That’s why she instructs pet parents to limit any dog that appears “drunk” from activities that require balance and focus, such as swimming, running, hiking, looking and climbing.
Radosta adds that trazodone is prescribed to act as a “painkiller” in dogs, sometimes reducing emotional distress. It is not a sedative and does not make the dog feel or act like a four-legged zombie.
How long does trazodone stay in my dog’s system?
Trazodone is a short-acting drug that wears off within 24 hours. However, dogs with kidney or liver problems may be affected longer.
What are the side effects of trazodone?
Some dogs may experience vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, dizziness, and changes in appetite when taking trazodone. Some dogs may exhibit dilated pupils or lethargy. Contact your veterinarian if your dog experiences any of these symptoms at first before they become severe.
Are there any medications that work well in combination with trazodone?
Sometimes, trazodone is not effective enough in reducing stress and anxiety, and your veterinarian may also prescribe gabapentin, an anticonvulsant, or anticonvulsant. Like trazodone, gabapentin is prescribed “off-label” by veterinarians for dogs.
Dr. Downing explains: Trazodone and gabapentin complement each other and work in different pathways in the body.
Can my dog take other medications with trazodone?
There are many drugs that can interact with trazodone in dogs, says Dr. Downing, but unless you give your dog trazodone regularly, there shouldn’t be any health problems with single use.
That said, drug interactions can occur if your dog is also taking the following medications:
- Diuretic (usually prescribed for dogs that retain too much fluid or deal with congestive heart failure)
- Some antihypertensive drugs to control blood pressure
- Metoclopramidean antiemetic used to treat acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)As meloxicam or carprofenUsed to relieve joint pain, swelling and stiffness
- Tramadolan opiate used to control pain, including after surgery and osteoarthritis in dogs
Dr. Downing adds that herbal supplements containing St. John’s Wort can also cause side effects.
What are other examples of “unlabelled” SSRIs that may be prescribed to dogs dealing with conduct disorder?
A common SSRI is fluoxetine, found in Prozac and Reconcile.
Do over-the-counter soothing options work?
An increasing number of companies are making massages and soothing oils that can reduce anxiety in some dogs. Common ingredients include organic hemp seed oil, chamomile, ginger root, valerian root, melatonin, and passion flower, all of which are known for their soothing properties. Discuss these supplements with your veterinarian as dogs react differently to these ingredients.
What other non-drug options can be used to compliment trazodone?
Some dogs benefit from reflexology sessions, which naturally release pleasant endorphins, Dr. Downing says. Another option is compression clothing, such as a ThunderShirt, which puts steady pressure on their torso, like receiving a loving hug.
Dr. Radosta adds, Adaptil generates dog-like pheromones through a collar, aerosol or diffuser. Always consult your veterinarian before considering any of these options.
How do I know if my dog is stressed?
High-stress dogs are easy to spot: They tend to whine or try to escape the situation by hiding or trying to rush out the door.
Stress happens to everyone, including people and dogs. What matters is how you deal with it, says Dr. Radosta. Here are more subtle signs that your dog may be scared or stressed:
- The act of clinging
- Squinting or blinking
- Lip licking
- Raise his front leg
- tempo
- Refuse junk food
- His body vibrations
- Sudden heavy tears
- Turning
- Yawn
How Trazodone Helped My Dog, Bujeau
When I got married 5 years ago, we took the time to introduce our cats and dogs to each other. Among them was a gentle giant dog named Bujeau, my wife and I. She’s a 90-pound Bernese Mountain Dog, loves cats and is generally very docile except for two triggers – thunderstorms and vet visits. She developed severe noise phobia from typical loud, explosive thunderstorms in Dallas, Texas, and she went into a state of severe panic by drooling, shaking, and even poking. pulse when entering the veterinary clinic for routine check-ups. She tried to squeeze her mountain of body under my chair in the lobby.
Working with my veterinarian, Dr. Debora Charles of Casa Linda Animal Clinic, we decided that Bujeau would greatly benefit from trazodone given the predictable events that cause it to panic.
Trazodone was a positive game changer for Bujeau. I gave her a tablet about 90 minutes before a storm or vet visit. I also pair trazodone with a deluxe treat, usually small pieces of boiled chicken, to help prevent her association with these stressors.
Trazodone was successful. Bujeau even remains calm and gentle when being bathed, brushed and trimmed by a professional pet sitter at the veterinary clinic.
Arden Moore is a pet behavior consultant, master certified pet first aid instructor, bestselling author, national radio host Arden Moore’s Four Legged Life and host of Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio. Learn more at www.ardenmoore.com.
