Alprazolam Dosage Chart for Dogs: Risks, Side Effects, Dosage, and More

Alprazolam for dogs is a prescription anxiety medication. Alprazolam is a member of the benzodiazepine drug class. The benzodiazepine suppressants calm or sedate the animal who suffers from severe anxiety. The medications reduce anxiety by slowing down the central nervous system.

Veterinarians prescribe this medication as “off-label” therapy. The directions provided by the manufacturer on the label for administering a “off-label” medication to your pet will not match the advice your veterinarian gives you. Follow the vet’s recommendations to the letter.

When Do Dogs Need Alprazolam?

Alprazolam (Xanax) is used when a dog exhibits signs of anxiety that are severe and have been present in the animal for a long time. The vet will examine the animal, evaluate their medical condition and the medications they take, and discuss the dog’s behavior with the owner. However, the owner must be tranparent about the dogs medical conditions and behaviors.

Your veterinarian will prescribe behavioral modification in conjunction with the anxiety medication.

Signs of anxiety that indicate a need for alprazolam (Xanax) include, but are not limited to:

• Dogs have separation anxiety when they are left alone.
• Dogs with fears triggered by loud noises such as thunder, fireworks, or the backfiring of a car
• Aggression.
• Animals who fear new experiences.
• Animals that scratch and pull their hair because they are anxious or afraid

Side Effects Of Alprazolam Dosage On Dogs

Xanax is an anxiety drug so watch your pet closely and call your veterinarian when you notice some of these common side effects.

• Increased appetite
• Sedation
• Diarrhea
• Seizure
• clumsiness or loss of motor control; exhibiting instability when walking
• Pacing
• Vomiting
• Trouble breathing, excessive panting
• Problems with kidney function
• Problems with the liver
• Unexpected aggression
• facial swelling
• dilated pupils
• excessive shedding
• Tachycardia or irregular heartbeat
• opposite reactions that include increased anxiety, excitement, or agitation.

If your pet exhibits signs of side effects caused by alprazolam for dogs, stop giving the medication immediately and seek the advice of your veterinarian. The medication will be out of your dog’s system in 24 hours, but dogs with other health conditions may become severely ill and need emergency veterinarian care.

Signs Of Alprazolam Overdose/Allergies In Dogs

A dog that is allergic to the medication alprazolam (Xanax) for dogs, or a dog that receives a dose of the medication that is too large for their body, will exhibit signs of:

• aggression
• extreme drowsiness
• a lack of coordination when they try to stand
• incontinence
• excessive drooling or vomiting
• be unresponsive
• excessive panting or difficulty breathing
• rapid heartbeat

When you suspect a drug overdose or an adverse reaction, you should immediately call your veterinarian or take your pet to an animal treatment center.

Risks To Consider

The risks of too high of an alprazolam dosage for dogs include death. If the dog is given an alprazolam (Xanax) dosage that is too large or if they have an adverse reaction to the medication, they are at a great risk of death. Anxiety medications require guidance from a veterinarian who is familiar with the animal.

Anxiety medications like alprazolam are short-term remedies, not long-term solutions. Animals should not take the medication on a daily basis and should never take the medication without also undergoing behavioral treatment programs to naturally change the problem.

Reactions to the medication can lead to respiratory distress. The dog may also suffer cardiac distress and have a heart attack.

When Is Alprazolam Not An Option For Your Dog?

Alprazolam is not a canine medication. The alprazolam dosage is deterimed by the veterinarian based on experience. It is a medication that treats anxiety in dogs that are in good health. Your veterinarian will consider all of the health problems of the animal before prescribing this medication. Tell the doctor if your dog suffers from any of the following:

• If the dog is a geriatric or senior dog, in small breeds, dogs become geriatric at 11 to 12 years. Medium-sized breeds become geriatric at 8 to 10 years. However, large and giant-breed dogs become geriatric at 7 to 8 years.
• Has glaucoma or vision problems.
• Is pregnant or is currently lactating
• Has a liver disease
• has a kidney disease
• has diabetes
• has a heart disease
• If your dog takes any medications, including vitamins, herbal remedies, or medications for diabetes, heart complications, or any allergy,

Alprazolam For Dogs Dosage Chart

Alternatives To Alprazolam For Dogs

There are other medications similar to alprazolam for dogs if your dog reacts adversely to the xanax. There are also natural calming methods and remedies that may be effective in aleiving your dogs anxiety.

Distraction

Remove the animal from the situation, or use their favorite toy or treat to distract them from the cause of their anxiety. However, remain alert for aggressive behavior.

Weighted Blankets

Weighted blankets and weighted garments comfort the animal. These weighted garments provide the sensation that they are being hugged or held.

Calming Music

Music is soothing to humans and animals. Play calming music; however, do not play the music too loudly. You can also record your voice talking to the animal in a soothing tone. The dog can focus on the sound instead of the cause of their anxiety.

Desensitizing

Exposing your dog to the source of their anxiety in controlled situations causes the dog to become familiar with the situation and be desensitized to it. However, this type of training is done with an experienced dog trainer. If you expose the animal to their anxiety and they react aggressively, the result can be detrimental to you and your pet.

CBD Oil

The central nervous system has cannabinoid receptors throughout. These receptors help the body produce serotonin, which is a pain reliever and mood enhancer. The CBD oil mimics serotonin and calms the animal in a natural way.

CBD oil is being used in the treatment of anxiety disorders, cancer, arthritis, and other conditions. It does not have the adverse side effects that prescription anxiety medications like alprazolam for dogs have.

Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies are given to the animal in the form of tea or pills. Chamomile tea soothes nausea and calms nerves. Valerian calms nerves, as a sedative, and as a muscle relaxant. A dog with anxiety relaxes from valerian tea. However, getting the animal to drink the tea may be difficult.

St. John’s Wort is an herbal remedy that alleviates the symptoms of depression. A dog that suffers from separation anxiety can benefit from the admistering of St. John’s Wort.

Homeopathic Treatments

Homeopathic remedies are safe, and the remedies are used for specific problems. These remedies are in the form of small pellets that need to be soaked in a glass of water, and then the liquid is given to the dog. The pellets are safe for the animal to ingest; however, you only need to use three pellets to create one dose.

• 30 c of aconite for dogs afraid of storms. The liquid mixture is administered every 15 minutes for the duration of the storm or until you see improvement in the dog’s demeanor.
• Phosphorus is given to dogs who have anxiety over loud noises.
• Pulsatilla treats separation anxiety in dogs.
• Borax, given twice a day, calms thunderstorm anxiety.
• Gelsemium is a homeopathic remedy for separation anxiety.

Essences of Bach Flowers

A blend of Bach flowers provides emotional support and calms anxieties. The Bach flower combination was discovered by Edward Bach, an English physician. A prepared mixture of these flower essences is sold under the name Rescue Remedy.

Essential Oils

Essential oils calm anxiety. To calm the dog with these oils you dilute them with water and spray them on their bedding. You can also mix the oils with another mild oil like almond oil. The fragrance of the oils calms them without causing any discomfort or adverse side effects.

• Lavender treats separation anxiety.
• Frankincense treats the fear of thunder or lous noises like fireworks.
• Violet Leaf is good for general anxiety.

How To Treat Alprazolam Overdose In Dogs

As soon as you notice signs of an alprazolam overdose, stop administering the medication. Call your veterinarian or take the animal to an animal care facility for emergency treatment.

The veterinarian will take urine and blood samples to determine the amount of alprazolam the dog has in their system. In mild cases the animal is sent home under your care. Moreover, you need to confine the dog to keep them from injuring themself, provide them plenty of water, and remain calm to keep them calm.

If the reaction is severe the doctor will give the animal intravenous fluids to flush the drug from their system quicker. they will admit the dog to the animal hospital so they can watch it for worsening symptoms or other adverse reactions.

The animal will be given medications that ease nausea and discomfort. However, the vet or their assistant will closely monitor the dog for 12 to 24 hours, or until they are acting normal and responding appropiately to stimuli.

Conclusion

Alprazolam for dogs is a serious anxiety medication that must be prescribed by a veterinarian. However, the animal must be under the care of the doctor while taking the medicine and should be watched for adverse reactions to the medication.

If your dog has severe anxiety disorder over certain situations talk to your veterian to determine if alprazolam is a treatment option.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Javier Brosch/Shutterstock.com