when to give diazepam for seizures in dogs

In other dogs experiencing seizures, an underlying cause can be found in the brain. Other side-effects you need to know about. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain. Part of Linnaeus, an Affiliate of Mars, Incorporated, Manor Farm Business Park | Higham Gobion | Hertfordshire | SG5 3HR | Tel 01582 883950, Registered address: Friars Gate 1011 Stratford Road Solihull B90 4BN | Registered in England & Wales 10790375 | VAT Reg 195 092 877, Linnaeus Veterinary Limited trading as Davies Veterinary Specialists 01582 883950. When used as an IV bolus (0.52 mg/kg), the dose may be repeated up to three times at intervals of 510 min. More than any other drug, the concentration of anti-epileptic drug in the blood is more important to consider than the quantity of tablet given. In some cases, diazepam will be given intravenously to dogs that suffer from epilepsy. excessive salivation, vomiting, dilated pupils, behavioural signs (episodic changes in the dogs behaviour) e.g. Regarding its contraindications, it is not recommended to give diazepam to puppies, elderly dogs, or any dog with liver, heart or kidney problems. Intranasal Midazolam versus Rectal Diazepam for the Management - PubMed Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA(known as MSD outside of the US and Canada) is dedicated to using the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. Consult with your veterinarian on how to best stop giving this medication. The answer is no. Another reason why diazepam isnt considered an ideal long-term treatment for dogs with seizures is that they must be slowly weaned off the medication to prevent aggressive behavior. In horses, side effects include muscle twitches, weakness, and incoordination. It's important to have your dog checked by your vet if they have a seizure, even if they have recovered well. The answer is no. Affiliate of Mars Inc. 2023 | Copyright VCA Animal Hospitals all rights reserved. These medications are administered if a cluster seizure occurs, to try and stop the seizure and to prevent more from occurring. For seizures in adult horses, diazepam can be given at 2550 mg/horse, IV. What Is the Correct Dosage of Diazepam (Valium) for Dogs? Emergency epileptic seizures, including status epilepticus and severe cluster seizures, commonly occur in dogs either at home or during hospitalization.1, 2 Status epilepticus can be caused by toxic and metabolic causes or structural brain disease. The goal of medical treatment is therefore to improve your dog's quality of life by minimising how frequently the attacks occur and how severe they are. Valium - FreeServers These are some disorders in dogs related to musculature relaxation that diazepam can help treat: Certain toxicities that result in tremors, seizures, or other abnormal muscle contractions Muscle cramping disorders, such as "Scottie cramp," a metabolic disease of Scottish terriers. Sedatives for Dogs: How and When to Use Them Safely | PetMD Seizures and Sleep Disorders - PMC - National Center for Biotechnology Some dogs have more than one type of seizure, and not all seizures involve convulsions. What Is the Correct Dosage of Diazepam (Valium) for Dogs? The availability of these medicines in different forms and how they are used may vary from country to country. They probably wont remember having the seizure, There may sometimes be other side effects that are not listed above. Additionally, dogs that are anemic, elderly, suffer from liver or kidney disease, or have trouble breathing arent ideal candidates for diazepam. ORAL: Initial dose: 10 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day for the first 24 hours. If injectable phenobarbital is effective in preventing or controlling seizures, an oral maintenance dose may be initiated, with the plan to decrease or stop injectable anticonvulsant infusions within the following 24 hr. It acts as a depressant of this system, achieving a quick sedative, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and relaxing effect on the dog. Although seizures are distressing to witness, you should always try to stay calm when a seizure starts and time how long it lasts, so you know whether a seizure is lasting a particularly long time, and are prepared to contact your vet if status epilepticus occurs. The medicine itself isnt calming the brain, but its causing the brain to not receive the signals that cause anxiety. When diazepam is used as a CRI, it should be mixed with 5% dextrose or 0.9% saline. It is very effective, but that doesnt mean that every dog should use it. For this purpose, drug-free human hair was externally contaminated with diazepam, heroin, cocaine or 9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Treatment for Epilepsy in Dogs Fact Sheet However, the duration of action after a single bolus is only ~25 min. It should be used cautiously in pets that have general liver or kidney disease, breathing problems, myasthenia gravis, or glaucoma, or pets that are working animals, aggressive, debilitated, geriatric, obese, or in shock. Again this does not imply the animal will be more likely to suffer side effects as the inefficient, therapeutic and toxic effects are related to the quantity of drug in the blood and not the quantity of tablet given. How much diazepam do I give a dog to seize? The availability of these medicines in different forms and how they are used may vary from country to country. For example, the anti-seizure medications phenobarbital and gabapentin are known to have a profound sedative effect when they are first given to dogs, so they can also be prescribed for use before a potentially stressful event. The first school of thought advises treatment of seizures as soon as a dog is diagnosed as having recurrent seizures (i.e. You and your vet can decide the best approach to treatment for your pet. This is the most common seizure type observed in dogs. Copyright 2016 - 2023 - therapypet.org -All Rights Reserved, Customer Service Email: contact@therapypet.org, Customer Service Hours: 8am to 10pm EST (7 Days a week), [therapypet_step1_form show_in_mobile="1"], Aggression or any change in behavior, especially when the drug is stopped abruptly, Dogs with anxiety generally take between 0.12 to 1 mg per pound once a day or as needed, Dogs prone to seizures generally take between 0.23 to 0.9 mg per pound, usually administered rectally, Dogs in need of sedation generally take between 0.11 mg per pound every 8 hours, Dogs with muscle cramp disorders generally take between 0.23 to 0.9 mg per pound every 8 hours, Dogs with irritable bowel syndrome generally take between 0.07 mg per pound every 8 hours, Loss of appetite (diazepam is an appetite stimulant, so you might notice your dog eating more, which is normal), Top Rated Puppy Foods Recommended By Vets. Your child may be confused. Monitor Behavior. In addition to these structural causes, metabolic disorders of the brain can lead to a change in its structure and neuronal degeneration. It is important that you follow your doctors instructions about how much to give. Diazepam is a class II drug and is thus available by prescription only. Some breeds of dog may be more prone to cluster seizures including the German Shepherd Dog, Border Collie, Boxer, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Labrador Retriever. Diazepam can cause birth defects, so youll want to avoid the medication if at all possible if your dog is pregnant. Epistatus liquid syrup in a bottle with 4 oral syringes: 50 mg in 5 mL. Diazepam is the most common benzodiazepine used in dogs and cats to reduce motor activity and permit placement of an IV catheter. Rodney S. Bagley DVM, DACVIM, Annie V. Chen DVM, MS, DACVIM, in Small Animal Toxicology (Third Edition), 2013 Sources. Motor movement occurs on both sides of the body. If the desired reduction in seizures is not seen with the 'first line' medications, they may choose to 'add-on' potassium bromide as a second medication. We're not a veterinary organisation and so we can't give veterinary advice, but if you're worried about any of the issues raised in this article, please contact your local vet practice for further information. As well as this, it is likely your dog will undergo diagnostic testing, including blood and urine tests to identify any abnormal cell counts or unusual biomarkers (e.g., proteins, hormones, electrolytes etc.). During IV injection, seizure-like signs of excitement, paddling, nystagmus, muscle twitching, and opisthotonos may sometimes be seen. Seizures and Epilepsy in Dogs - PDSA This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply to other countries. In the either case, the veterinarian will decide depending on your dog's condition. If your vet is not available and your dog appears to be having a severe reaction to the medication, you should take your pet to an emergency care facility for immediate medical attention. Diazepam can also help improve many behavioral issues, including spraying, excessive grooming, and fear of excessive noise. How these types of seizure present themselves depends upon where in the brain the abnormal electrical activity started, and the function of that part of the brain. The injectable form should not be stored in plastic bottles or syringes. Experimental evidence and a single study in dogs suggest that early treatment for epilepsy in dogs offers better long-term control of the seizures as compared to animals that are allowed to have numerous seizures prior to starting treatment. Its use in cats, dogs, small mammals, horses, birds, and exotic species to treat anxiety, seizures, lack of appetite, and tense muscles is off label or extra label. These side effects are more likely to occur after long-term use. A seizure (also known as fit) is a non-specific short event with an abrupt start and termination. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of. Rectal diazepam if preferred, or if buccal midazolam is not available. Recording how often your dog has seizures is important to track how well their treatment is working, and so your vet can alter their treatment if necessary. Diazepam can cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can develop into serious medical conditions if not treated promptly. Its also important to avoid giving diazepam to dogs that are pregnant or nursing, even if the mother suffers from seizures or epilepsy. It is absorbed, distributed within the body and excreted without interfering with the liver. It is however important to be aware of two points regarding side-effects: Complete blood profiles (liver function test and haematology) are recommended on a six monthly basis to monitor for the animal for potential side effects. It mainly causes a relaxing, sedative and anticonvulsant effect. Safety of Diazepam Nasal Spray in Pediatric Patients With Developmental Here's What to Do After Your Dog Has a Seizure - PetPlace The dose may need to be reduced if sedation occurs. Your vet will be able to advise you as to which antiepileptic drug (AED) is most suited to treating your dog's epilepsy. Seizure Rescue Medications | Epilepsy Foundation A loss of appetite Conditions that require anesthesia In need of surgery If you're trying to help your dog deal with anxiety or another medical condition and think diazepam could be a solution, or your vet has recommended giving your dog diazepam, what do you need to know? Dosage reduction should only be considered if the animal remains seizure-free for at least a year and should be very gradual over many months to prevent precipitating seizure. animal becoming resistant to the therapeutic effect of the drugs (also known as becoming refractory). Diazepam belongs to the group of benzodiazepines, which are drugs that act on the central nervous system. - Dosage, Uses and Side Effects, Metamizole for Dogs - Usage, Dosage and Side Effects, Ambroxol for Dogs - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects. The link you have selected will take you to a third-party website. Diazepam - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics Our information may differ from that provided by the manufacturers, because their information usually relates to adults. Alternatively, 36 mg/kg, IV or IM, can be administered every 1530 min to attain the desired serum concentration; serum level increases by ~5 mcg/mL for every 3 mg/kg dose of phenobarbital. The focal seizure is often very short (few seconds to minutes) and the secondary generalisation follows rapidly. That way your vet can make a proper determination as to what type of treatment is going to be the safest and best option for mother and puppies. Therapy for epileptic seizures may have side effects that, on rare occasions, can be worse than the seizures themselves. If you put the Midazolam into the middle of the mouth it will not work as well because it cannot get into the blood so quickly. If your dog experiences a seizure, its important to contact your vet immediately or take your dog to an emergency care facility. Diazepam has been used at 0.51.5 mg/kg, IM or IV. If you're looking for a vet practice near you, why not visit the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons', Loss of voluntary control, often seen with convulsions (jerking or shaking movements and muscle twitching), Irregular attacks that start and finish very suddenly, Attacks that appear very similar each time and have a repetitive clinical pattern, Last a short time (often only a few seconds or minutes), episodic movements ("motor" signs) e.g. o [alopecia OR hair loss ], , DVM, DACVIM-Neurology, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Other ways to control ongoing seizure activity include sodium pentobarbital (24 mg/kg, IV to effect), a mixture of 12% chloral hydrate and 6% magnesium sulfate at a rate not exceeding 30 mL/min to avoid excessive depression, or a mixture of 4488 mg/kg of 5% guaifenesin and 2.26.6 mg/kg thiamyal, given IV to effect. o [pig guinea] They will choose the correct dosage and even the brand. It can be difficult for vets to tell the difference between seizures and other health problems, so providing them with a thorough description of the abnormal event, or ideally, a video recording, can help them in their diagnosis. Dehydration is a very serious medical problem for dogs and might need attention from a medical professional. Keep this information with you. If you think someone else may have taken some Midazolam by accident, take them to hospital straight away. It is therefore important to understand that the animal will still suffer seizures despite being on treatment. However, side effects can occur in any instance and even if there has never been a problem in the past using the medication. Version [2]. Updated: 11/03/2022 Brand Name (s) Nasal spray Used to Treat Absence Seizures Atonic Seizures Atypical Absence Seizures Clonic Seizures Focal Impaired Awareness or Complex Partial Seizures Febrile Seizures Myoclonic Seizures Refractory Seizures Secondarily Generalized Seizures or Bilateral Tonic Clonic Seizure Focal Aware Onset Seizure See files for Dogs. Linnaeus Veterinary Limited trading as Davies Veterinary Specialists Give the missed dose as soon as you remember, and then wait the recommended amount of time between doses. Immediate treatment is necessary because status epilepticus can cause permanent neurological damage or even death. If IV access is not possible in dogs, diazepam can be administered rectally at 0.52 mg/kg (2 mg/kg if the dog is receiving phenobarbital) or intranasally at 0.5 mg/kg. Epilepsy in dogs | Dog health | The Kennel Club This balance is achieved in 15-30% of dogs. It's usually used as a sedative, muscle-relaxant or anti-anxiety medicine for dogs. His main research interests are chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia and the treatment of canine and feline epilepsy. Its important to discuss treatment costs with your vet and insurance provider to ensure you are covered and prepared for the costs long-term. Although cluster seizures can be treated at home with medication, such as rectal diazepam or levetiracetam pulse therapy, you should also contact your vet for further advice and/or changes in treatment to try and avoid clusters occurring in the future. If you are instructed by your vet to give your dog diazepam to treat epilepsy or other seizure disorders, you need to be aware of the most common side effects. Diazepam: Generic, Uses, Side Effects, Dosages, Interactions - RxList Monitor your pet at home for serious side effects. Why are regular blood tests important to monitor the treatment? This means that the quantity of tablets will likely need to be increased to keep the blood concentration at the same level. If used long term, discontinuing this medication suddenly can cause withdrawal side effects; consult with your veterinarian before stopping this medication. Overdose on diazepam can lead to a depression in the central nervous system, causing confusion or even putting the dog in a coma. Furthermore. Treatment with more than one drug at a time will often improve a dog's response to sedation. From this, you can track patterns in your dog's seizure frequency and severity to see if improvements are occurring. As diazepam is also used for humans, many people wonder if they can give human diazepam to their dog. If using this medication as an anti-anxiety medication, administer to your pet an hour prior to the triggering event. Diazepam rectal gel is used in emergency situations to stop cluster seizures (episodes of increased seizure activity) in people who are taking other medications to treat epilepsy (seizures). Although largely arbitrary, the following would be a reasonable guide to starting treatment for epilepsy in dogs: What drugs are commonly used to treat epilepsy in dogs? Its an extremely powerful drug and can easily be overdosed on. Aspects of generalised seizures are often termed tonic, clonic, tonic-clonic and myoclonic. Side effects include sleepiness, increased appetite, incoordination, weakness, agitation, drooling, and aggression. Never give your child more than one dose of Midazolam during one seizure unless you have been told to do this by your doctor. The names of benzodiazepines that are most commonly used as rescue medications include diazepam, lorazepam, clonazepam, and midazolam. The 2020 AAHA Anesthesia and Monitoring Guidelines for Dogs and Cats are available at aaha.org/anesthesia. Diazepam is a class II drug and is thus available by prescription only. Serious side effects include a yellowing of the skin, gums, or whites of the eyes, lack of appetite, severe lethargy, or continued vomiting. Knowing what to watch for and identifying a reaction to diazepam is only half the battle you must also know what to do when a side effect occurs. Set up your myVCA account today. There are two different products. Keep the medicine in the container it came in. Blood concentrations of Phenobarbitone and Bromide should be monitored to ensure that they remain within a certain range of concentration known as the therapeutic range. Diazapam for Dogs | Wag! It is possible to overdose your dog on diazepam. It can also decrease their respiratory and heart rate. Is there anything else I need to know about this medicine? Diazepam is known to be an appetite stimulant. If seizures do not stop with repeated diazepam or midazolam, then give propofol 4 to 8 mg/kg IV and start a propofol CRI at 0.1 to 0.6 mg/kg/min IV for 4 to 6 hours. Valium is usually safe but for anxiety owners are urged to try natural methods of treatment and softer medication first. Use: Symptomatic relief of acute agitation, tremor, impending/acute delirium tremens, and hallucinations in acute alcohol . The second school requires balancing the benefits gained from the introduction of anti-epileptic therapy with the adverse effects caused by the medication and the demands on the owner. When should epilepsy treatment for dogs be started? Make sure your dog drinks plenty of fresh water if there are issues with vomiting or diarrhea. 3 Diazepam belongs to the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. For people having a tonic-clonic seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, or who have more than three seizures in an hour, in addition to the above measures: Treat with one of the following: Buccal midazolam as first-line treatment in the community. A seizure occurs when theres abnormal electrical activity in the brain that leads to sudden but short-lived changes in a dog's behaviour and/or movement. Like humans, many dogs suffer from anxiety and other related disorders. To prevent further seizures after initial diazepam injection, IV phenobarbital may be started as a follow up at 1220 mg/kg, IV over 20 min, and then maintained at a dosage of 6.659 mg/kg over 20 min, bid or tid. Are there any potential side effects? During a seizure, you should never attempt to put anything in your dog's mouth, including your hands. Never give it to anyone else, even if they seem to be having a seizure, as this could do harm. Midazolam is available as buccal liquid medicine, which is given inside the cheek. NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild, all rights reserved. It is very helpful to observe the seizure carefully. In most cases, epilepsy in dogs cannot be cured. Diazepam should not use in pets that are pregnant (particularly during the first trimester) or lactating unless necessary and the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. Our Fact Sheets provide in depth information on Neurological conditions and treatments. You should give midazolam if your childs seizure lasts more than 5 minutes. Diazepam (Valium) for Dogs and Cats - PetPlace You can also watch our video below about how to calm your dog down when they're feeling anxious. Sometimes this is the case short-term, as well. You should only ever give your dog diazepam you have been given by your vet. You can restrict your dogs movements in the house with gates like these. Fleck notes that most effective and safe dosage will be determined by your . to clonazepam developed in dogs after 1 to 2 weeks of treatment,4 4 in mice ove r a 72-hou period, 5 and n kindled rats after 5 days.46 The focal seizure may be difficult to detect due to its brief nature and it is important to tell your vet what happened before convulsions started, to help them determine what type of seizure your dog is having. The medicine quickly gets from the cheek into the blood to stop the seizure. Many dogs will have a single seizure episode in their lives, therefore it may not be feasible to treat every dog that seizures. To avoid further health issues you must follow your veterinarian's close instructions. may give additional doses of 5-10 mg IV every 6-8 hours as needed; Endoscopy. Some will need to be on the low end of the therapeutic range while others will need to be at the top end to experience therapeutic effects. The trusted provider of veterinary information since 1955, Overview of Systemic Pharmacotherapeutics of the Nervous System, Antiepileptic Drugs Used to Stop Ongoing Seizure Activity, Maintenance Anticonvulsant or Antiepileptic Therapy, Reviewed/Revised Mar 2015 | Modified Nov 2022.