BEHAVIOUR
Table 2: Benzodiazepine doses for treatment of noise phobia
Active ingredient Trade name Dose in dogs Dose in cats
Diazepam Valium 0,5-2 mg/kg every 4-6 h 0,2-0,4 mg/kg every 12-24 h
Alprazolam Xanor, Alzam, Azor etc 0,01-0,1 mg/kg every 8-12 h 0,01-0,1 mg/kg every 12 h*
Oxazepam Purata 0,2-1,0-2,5 mg/kg every 12-24 h*
Clorazepate
Tranxene
0,5-2,0-4,0 mg/kg every 8-12 h
Notes
0,2-0,5-2,0 mg/kg every
12-24 h*
Considered preferable
for cats
5-10 mg/kg according
to Crowell-Davies
(2006)
0,2-2,0 mg/kg every 12 h*
Table 3: SSRI, TCA and MAOI doses for treatment of noise phobia
Active ingredient Trade name Dose in dogs
Dose in cats
Fluoxetine Prozac (20mg)
Generics; Lorien, Prohexal 0,5-1,0-2,0 mg/kg every 24 h Sertraline Zoloft (50mg)
Generics: Serdep, Serlife 2 mg/kg every 12-24h Not reported
Selegiline Parkilyne (5mg) 0,5-1,0-2,0 mg/kg every 24 h 0,25-0,5-1,0 mg/kg every 24 h
0,5-1,0-1,5 mg/kg every 24 h
*Please note that some dosages have been amended from previous recommendations
- Trazodone (see “polypharmacy” below) may be useful as a short-term medication at higher doses
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animal can cope without the medication.
Never suddenly discontinue an SSRI or TCA –
gradually wean the patient over several weeks
(one week per month on the drug i.e. 6 weeks
if the dog was on it for 6 months). Should the
signs re-appear on a lower dose, go back to the
previous effective dose. Some animals require
lifelong treatment.
If it is decided to change to another SSRI or TCA,
the change can be made immediately without a
weaning or washout period.
When replacing an SSRI or TCA with an
MAOI, a washout period of at least 2 weeks is
recommended.
SSRIs and TCAs can be used in conjunction with
benzodiazepines.
SSRIS or TCAs should never be given concurrently
with MAOIs .
Behavioural disinhibition may occur – careful
monitoring is required. Note that this applies
to non-aggressive animals whose aggression
may be unmasked when the anxiety is reduced
(uncommon).
Polypharmacy – combining medications
SSRIs and TCAs can be used concurrently with other
drugs including benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines
are used as follows in conjunction with anti-
depressants:
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For the first 2-4 weeks on an anti-depressant
when an immediate anxiolytic effect is required
On an as needed basis during fear-eliciting events.
Other medicines that can be used with anti-
depressants on an as needed or continuous basis are
(doses are for dogs):
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Trazodone (Molipaxin) 3-5, up to 20 mg/kg every
12 hours (an atypical serotonin antagonist and
reuptake inhibitor)
Clonidine (Dixarit, Menograine) 0,02-0,1 mg/kg
every 12 hours (alpha agonist)
Gabapentin (Epleptin) 2-5, up to 20 mg/kg every
12 hours (GABA agonist)
Amitryptaline (Trepiline) 0,5-1 mg/kg every 12
hours (TCA)
Trazodone and clonidine can be used in combination
with an anti-depressant.
While many patients require lifelong treatment, there
is evidence that the concurrent use of medication and
other measures can lead to significant improvement
and even complete resolution of the condition.
Most of the drugs recommended here are used extra-
label in animals, therefore the client must be made
aware of this. However, the use of these agents is
well researched and published and it is therefore not
experimental use.
Phenothiazines (ACP)
Acepromazine is contra-indicated for treatment of
anxiety, fears and phobias. It is a dissociative agent
having its effect through its dopamine-blocking action
on the reticular activating system (RAS) in the brain:
Issue 02 | MAY 2019 | 7