Can You Use Trazodone To Treat Seizures In Dogs?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If you notice tremors/shivering, dilated pupils, or difficulty breathing, these can be signs of Serotonin Syndrome and you should take your dog to the vet immediately.

Trazodone has the advantage over other anti-anxiety of having the lowest seizure risk and fewer adverse effects

.

How much trazodone will calm a dog?

Your vet will calculate your dog's dosage based on their body weight. A typical dosage of Trazodone is

2 to 16 mg/kgs once a day

. This medication can be given every day to help with separation anxiety or as needed to help with thunderstorms or firework phobia.

What does trazodone treat in dogs?

Trazodone (brand name Desyrel®, Oleptro®) is a serotonin antagonist/reuptake inhibitor (SARI) antidepressant that is used to treat

behavioral disorders, especially anxiety- or phobia-related in dogs

(e.g., separation anxiety, noise phobia such as fireworks or thunderstorms, veterinary visits, hospitalization, and …

Can trazodone cause seizures?

If you take them together or do not wait 2 weeks, you may develop confusion, agitation, restlessness, stomach or intestinal symptoms, a sudden high body temperature, an extremely high blood pressure, or

severe convulsions

.

Is 100mg of Trazodone safe for dogs?


Trazodone is considered to be quite safe to use in dogs

, causing only mild and rare side effects. In the majority of cases, the dog will become more sedated or lethargic than expected. In some dogs, the drug may cause mild excitation or anxiety, and quite rarely this anxiety might result in aggressive behavior.

Can I give my dog 100mg of Trazodone?


100mg would be too high of a dose but would likely not cause significant problems

. A dog with too high of a dose of Trazodone may exhibit sedation, lethargy and incoordination when walking. I hope this helps answer your question.

Is human Trazodone the same as dog Trazodone?

Trazodone – which is technically called trazodone HCl – is available in both generic and name-brand versions, such as Oleptro and Desyrel. There aren't any veterinary formulations of Trazodone currently on the market, so

pets must simply take those formulated for humans

.

How much Trazodone can you give a 50 pound dog?

Dosing Information for Trazodone in Dogs and Cats

They include

2.5 mg per pound per day to 15 mg per pound every 24 hours

. The average dose is approximately 3.5 mg per pound per day.

When should you give your dog Trazodone before going to the vet?

When Trazodone is used on a daily basis, it is initially started at a lower dose for every 12 hours. When used before appointments, it is given

2 hours before you travel to the vet hospital

.

Can I give my dog 50 mg Trazodone?

The recommended dose of Trazodone for dogs is between 2.5 mg and 3.5 mg per pound of body weight (or 2-5 mg per kg). Depending on the situation and the individual needs,

some dogs can be given up to 15 mg of Trazodone per pound every 24 hours

.

How long does 100mg of trazodone last for dogs?

Trazodone should be administered about an hour before potential anxiety-inducing stimuli, as its onset of action is approximately 30 to 60 minutes. Gruen and colleagues reported owner-observed duration of effect lasting

4 hours or more

.

Is 50mg of trazodone a lot?

Trazodone Dosage for Sleep


When prescribed for sleep, trazodone can be taken as a 50 mg to 100 mg dose at bedtime

. If needed, the dose can be increased to up to 200 mg at bedtime to help with sleep. Those with both depression and sleep problems may need a higher dose in some cases — up to 300 mg at bedtime.

Does trazodone lower the seizure threshold?

Rosenstein et al (1993) stated that

the incidence of seizures is lowest for fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, trazodone and MAOIs

, whereas tricyclics, maprotiline and amoxapine have a higher risk.

Does tramadol lower the seizure threshold?

Tramadol, a commonly prescribed analgesic, is a significant cause of medication-induced seizures.

The mechanism by which seizure threshold is reduced by tramadol is not known

. In addition to μ-receptor agonism, tramadol inhibits uptake of serotonin.

Does tramadol increase risk of seizures?


Tramadol can induce seizures especially at high doses

Seizures have been reported in patients receiving tramadol at recommended dose levels. However, reports to CARM indicate that high doses, co-prescribed medicines and a history of epilepsy may increase the likelihood of seizures with tramadol.

How often can you give dog Trazodone?

Trazodone is given

every 8 hours

and as needed based on the dog's weight and response.

Is 300mg of Trazodone safe for dogs?

Thus, your vet will advise you whether you need to give trazodone for dogs regularly or only when your dog requires it. However,

vets recommend a dosage between 12mg and 15mg for every pound of dog weight within 24 hours

. For example, a dog that weighs 20 pounds will need 50-300mg of trazodone per day.

How does Trazodone make dogs feel?

In 104 dogs experiencing adverse effects,

sedation and lethargy

were reported in 43% of the dogs. Ataxia was reported in 16% and vomiting in 14%. Overall, lethargy, sedation, depression, somnolence, and subdued behavior are considered common signs of trazodone exposure.

Can you crush up trazodone for dogs?


Never crush Trazodone before administering

. You should give your pet a small amount of food or some treats before offering this medication. An empty stomach speeds up the absorption of trazodone, which can amplify side effects like drowsiness, incoordination, and nausea.

What happens if you give a dog too much Trazodone?

The toxicity depends on the amount ingested relative to your dog's body weight. The most common side effects include

agitation, aggression, incoordination, excessive drooling, panting, hyperactivity, vocalization such as barking or howling, tremors, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, dilated pupils and/or sedation

.

How long does it take for Trazodone to kick in?

Patients who take the drug for a sleep disorder can experience the sedative effects within

30 minutes

, depending on the type used. Patients who take the drug as an antidepressant may not notice symptom relief for one to two weeks, and it may take up to four weeks to experience the full benefits.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.