Diazepam is a drug that affects the central nervous system, causing above all a relaxing, sedative and anticonvulsant effect. It is used in human medicine and also in veterinary medicine. Therefore, on the occasions that we will comment on this article of Animal Expert, it is possible that the veterinarian prescribes diazepam to a dog. And, given the nature of this medicine, we can only administer it if this professional has prescribed it to us. Giving diazepam to just one dog can be very dangerous.
Read on to learn about the use of diazepam in dogs, its main side effects and the most appropriate dosage. However, we insist, it is essential that it is a professional who guides their administration.
Veterinary diazepam is available in several formats of administration: oral or injectable. In the latter case, the veterinarian may inject it.
One of the uses of diazepam in dogs is the treatment of psychological disorders. Therefore, diazepam can be given to dogs that are nervous, stressed, anxious or with aphobia. If this is the case of your dog, please note that in addition to this medication, it is necessary to put in place environmental control measures to achieve a complete recovery of the dog. This is the field of action of veterinarians specialized in canine behavior or ethologists. And always prefer to set measures before treating the dog. Therefore, diazepam is reserved for very specific or serious cases.
There are also physical conditions for which diazepam is prescribed, such as epileptic disorders or musculoskeletal spasms that originate in the central or peripheral nervous system. Epilepsy is an example of the use of diazepam for dogs with seizures.
Finally, the veterinarian may administer diazepam as part of the pre-anesthetic protocol before surgery or to put the dog to sleep, for example, when a test is required and does not allow handling. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the paradoxical reaction that could occur, as we will explain in more detail in the section dedicated to the side effects of this drug.
If your dog is very nervous as if he has experienced anxiety, we recommend that you consult these articles before administering a medicine like this without the vet’s permission:
Similarly, we recommend that you watch this video. If your dog has any medical conditions go to the veterinary clinic as soon as possible.
It is very important that we carefully follow the veterinarian’s instructions regarding dosing and administration guidelines. The dosage will depend, in addition to the weight of the dog, the route of administration of the drug and the pathology to be treated. To give you an idea, the intravenous solution for injection to control epileptic disorders is given at a rate of 0.5 mg per kg of weight of the dog. On the other hand, when administering diazepam or diazepam as tablets to dogs, it can reach up to 2.2 mg per kg.
We stress once again the importance of going to the vet to indicate the most suitable dose of diazepam for dogs. Mismanagement can have very serious consequences.
As for its contraindications, it is not recommended to give diazepam to puppies, elderly people or who have liver, heart or kidney problems. It is also not recommended for dogs that are epileptic, weakened, dehydrated, anemic, in shock, who have severe breathing difficulties or suffer from obesity. Of course, it cannot be given to animals that have already had an allergic reaction to diazepam.
In dogs with glaucoma, the veterinarian should determine the suitability of treatment, assessing the pros and cons. The same is true for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Similarly, if the dog is taking medication and the veterinarian does not know it, we must inform him, because an interaction may occur.
Diazepam will interfere with the dog’s behavior and therefore its learning. Therefore, its use in behavioral problems should be prompt and closely monitored by the veterinarian. In addition, it should be noted that prolonged administration of diazepam may cause addiction or even behavioural reactions identical to those to be avoided. For example, the excitability that is intended to decrease, on the contrary, can be increased. Similarly, disinhibition or aggression, so-called paradoxical reactions, may occur. This is a rare effect that, if it occurs, is seen more in small breed dogs. This is another that highlights the importance of diazepam being administered only in cases where it has been prescribed by a professional.
In addition, diazepam side effects for dogs include pressure drop, heart changes or thrombus formation. This occurs when diazepam is given very quickly intravenously. Other reported effects are discoordination, disorientation or behavioral changes. In any case, if we detect any effect in our dog after the administration of diazepam, we must inform the veterinarian if the treatment should be modified or interrupted.
Finally, an overdose of diazepam can cause central system depression, causing confusion and even coma. It can also lower blood pressure and heart and respiratory rate.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
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