Many people experience anxiety for a wide range of reasons. Thankfully, there therapies and treatments available to help anyone who feels anxious, worried, or has panic attacks. One treatment is the use of anti-anxiety medication or SSRI antidepressants. These medications can relieve feelings of anxiety. But what happens if a dog eats anxiety medicine?
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Has your dog eaten anxiety medicine? Are you worried that the anxiety medicine will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about anxiety medicine and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Anxiety Medication?
There are various medications used to treat anxiety. These medications include anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications. These treatments can ease, but not cure, anxiety.
Some of the most common anti-anxiety medications include:
- Lexapro
- Cymbalta
- Xanax
- And others
When it comes to anti-depressants, these are sometimes used to treat anxiety:
- Zoloft
- Prozac
- Celexa
- Lexapro
- And others
Anti-anxiety and anti-depressants work to relieve the feeling of anxiety and may be combined with other therapies.
While anxiety medicine is safe for humans (when used as directed), what about dogs? What happens if a dog eats anxiety medicine?
Anxiety Medicine & Dogs
Unfortunately, anxiety medications can be dangerous for dogs. They are a common cause of poisoning in dogs. These medications can cause a wide range of symptoms in our canine companions.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Anxiety Medicine Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten anxiety medicine:
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Agitation
- Inability to urinate
- Bluish tinge to skin and mucus membranes
- Coma
- Confusions
- Constipation
- Low body temperature
- Depressed breathing
- Diarrhea
- High blood pressure
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Lack of coordination
- Seizures
- And more
If you notice these or other concerning symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Treatment of Anxiety Medicine Ingestion in Dogs
The vet will work to decontaminate your dog’s system by inducing vomiting, using activated charcoal, and other methods. These are used to help remove the medication from your fur baby’s body.
Next, the vet will treat other symptoms as they arise. In addition, your canine companion may require an IV with fluids and to administer medications. In most cases, your dog will need to be hospitalized until he’s in stable condition.
The prognosis is best for dogs that receive prompt medical treatment after eating anxiety medicine. In the future, it’s best to keep anxiety medicine and other medications out of your dog’s reach. You’ll both be happier for it!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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