Dogs are widely known for providing companionship at its peak with unconditional love. But do you know that they also get caught up with anxiety and stress just like we humans? Well, that’s the truth, and medications are required to help these dogs cope with these conditions – one of which is trazodone.
Trazodone for dogs has proven to be highly effective at relieving anxiety and stress and also helps with other behavioral issues. If your dog ever gets caught up in anxiety, then it’s recommended you have a chat with your veterinarian about the possibility of prescribing trazodone.
WHAT IS TRAZODONE?
Trazodone is a drug used in veterinary medicine and is considered a serotonin modulator with antagonistic and inhibitory effects on the serotonin receptors. It’s a serotonin reuptake inhibitor that increases serotonin levels in the brain, resulting in improved mood and anxiety relief.
This anxiety drug has been proven to be highly effective in treating certain conditions in dogs, including;
Anxiety
- Separation anxiety
- Aggression
- Stress
- Barking and howling
- Compulsive behaviors
Trazodone is an effective alternative to help your dog feel calmer and relaxed. Trazodone isn’t a recommended treatment for aggression as it may even worsen the condition. Instead, it can be used with other medications and behavioral medication training to reduce the effects of aggression in dogs.
What Are the Uses and Benefits of Trazodone For Dogs?
- Trazodone is primarily used for treating anxiety and stress in dogs. In addition, it can help with certain behavioral issues like compulsive behaviors, aggression, and separation anxiety.
- It is also used to sedate dogs that have a fear of the veterinary hospital or groomer. This medication is always prescribed to dogs in preparation for any surgical operation where the owners are concerned about keeping their pet calm and relaxed throughout the procedure.
- Aside from vet visits, there are some scenarios where you’ll need a safe and effective medication for your dog for traveling purposes. Trazodone is used here to relieve dog anxiety during train, plane, car, and other forms of travel.
- In addition, trazodone has proved effective in calming dogs that need to be confined while they recover from injury or surgery.
Are There Any Possible Side Effects of Trazodone For Dogs?
Trazodone is a short-acting drug with relatively little to no side effects. This medication’s most notable side effects are when your dog becomes too sedated and mere lethargic. However, these effects wear off over a short period.
Notable side effects of trazodone for dogs include:
- Vomiting or gagging
- Dilated pupils
- Colitis
- Priapism
- Higher anxiety
- Aggression
- Higher appetite
- Arrhythmic and ataxia.
Serotonin syndrome might sprout up when trazodone is administered with other serotonergic drugs.
Side effects of this include:
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Hyperthermia
- Depression
- Blindness
- Paralysis
- Coma
- Difficulty breathing
- Death
FINAL WORDS
Trazodone is a helpful medication that helps your dog stay calm during stressful situations. When administering this medication, ensure it’s all under a veterinarian’s supervision as they may be unwanted side effects when not administered correctly.
