Diazepam Dosage Chart for Dogs: Risks, Side Effects, Dosage, and More
By Amber LaRock,
2024-09-05
Has your vet prescribed Diazepam for your dog? You likely have questions about this new medication, so let’s break down everything you need to know! In this article, we dive into the details of Diazepam dosage for dogs, including what Diazepam is, common side effects, and dosing instructions. Let’s get started!
What Is Diazepam?
Dog Valium, or Diazepam, is helpful for dogs with seizures, anxiety, pain, and digestive complications.
Diazepam, or Valium, is a medication common in both human and veterinary medicine. It is a member of the benzodiazepine family, and it treats conditions ranging from anxiety disorders to acute seizures. Diazepam is safe for dogs and vets commonly prescribe it. That being said, it should only be given under veterinary guidance.
What Is Diazepam Used for in Dogs?
It is a common misconception that Diazepam is only beneficial to dogs with a seizure disorder. Though it can certainly stop an acute seizure, there are many other uses for Diazepam in our canine companions.
Some of the most common uses of Diazepam in dogs include:
Epilepsy
Anxiety
Pain relief with muscle stiffness or injuries
Pain associated with intervertebral disc disease
Anorexia due to underlying health conditions
Inflammatory bowel disease
Veterinarians often use Diazepam off-label for a variety of conditions in dogs. This means vets prescribe it for reasons other than what’s listed on the medication bottle. This is quite common in veterinary medicine, so your veterinarian may prescribe Diazepam for reasons other than those listed above.
How Is Diazepam Given to Dogs?
Diazepam is helpful for a variety of reasons in dogs, and it comes in multiple forms, including pill, liquid, gel, and injectable, each of which will have unique concentrations. We list a few of the standard routes of administration below:
Diazepam can be given to dogs:
Orally in pill or liquid form
Rectally in gel or liquid form
IV in liquid form in a veterinary setting
Your veterinarian will always send you home with detailed instructions on how to give your dog their dose of Diazepam.
Are There Side Effects with Diazepam in Dogs?
Due to the fact that Diazepam is a member of the benzodiazepine family, it can often lead to some disorienting side effects. Some of the most common side effects of Diazepam or Valium in dogs include:
Unsteady gait
Drowsiness
Disorientation
Appearing dazed
Drooling
Lethargy
Increased appetite
Agitation
Aggression
Keep in mind that while these side effects are possible, they are most common in dogs that receive large doses of Diazepam. If your vet has prescribed Diazepam for long term use, they will typically prescribe a low dose that does not alter their quality of life.
While Diazepam can tackle territorial aggression and undesirable behaviors in cats, it tends to have the opposite effect in dogs. If your dog struggles with territorial or aggressive behaviors, these behaviors could be amplified in dogs when taking Diazepam. This is yet another reason why it is so important to follow veterinary guidance.
Recommended Dose of Diazepam for Dogs
Only administer Diazepam under guidance of a veterinarian. You should never give your dog human Diazepam without approval from your vet.
As we mentioned above, Diazepam has a variety of uses in our canine companions. When treating issues ranging from anxiety to acute seizures, Diazepam can be given in a variety of doses and frequencies. Your vet will offer you specific dosing instructions based on your dog’s condition, but let’s list some typical dosing guidelines below.
Diazepam for acute seizures: 0.25 to 1 mg per pound of body weight, typically rectally when the seizure occurs. It can also be given via IV in a veterinary setting.
Dosage for anxiety: 0.1 to 0.8 mg per pound of body weight given orally every 12-24 hours.
Diazepam for pain control: 0.2 to 0.8 mg per pound of body weight given orally every 8-12 hours.
Dosage for digestive disorders: 0.05 to 0.08 mg per pound of body weight orally every 12 hour
Diazepam is a powerful medication that should only be given under veterinary guidance. The above doses do not replace veterinary guidance.
Diazepam Risks – Drug Interactions & Other Complications
Diazepam is typically safe for dogs when following your vet’s guidance, but there are some risks to be aware of. The first potential risk to keep in mind is that Diazepam may not be ideal for all dogs with liver or kidney disease. These pups can struggle to metabolize the medication appropriately, so your vet will need to take extra care when determining a safe dose for your dog.
The next risk to be aware of is the risk of drug interactions when taking Diazepam. The following medications can either exacerbate side effects with Diazepam use, or nullify its effectiveness.
Always let your vet know if your dog is currently taking any of the below medications:
Diazepam is commonly used as an urgent treatment method for acute seizures, as it can pull your pup out of a seizure. Though it is often an emergency treatment method in dogs with epilepsy or frequent seizures, it is not an ideal treatment method for regular seizure control.
Diazepam is not suited for long-term seizure control in dogs because the active duration of the drug is too short. This is why it is only suitable in emergency situations when an active seizure is present. Your vet can prescribe other seizure control medications that are much more effective in managing epilepsy.
Final Thoughts
Diazepam is a common medication that targets a variety of conditions in our canine companions. Be sure to review the information we discussed above, and you can better understand how to use this medication in your dog moving forward!
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