Severe stress and the active nature of a dog can lead to nervous breakdowns and various mental problems. In especially susceptible pets, even minor external factors can trigger serious neuroses or changes in behavior that will have to be dealt with throughout their lives. To maintain the health of the animal and mitigate the stressful situation, you can use chemicals and natural herbal remedies. In this article we will look at what sedatives are available for dogs and how to choose them correctly.
Should I give my dog a sedative?
There are situations when it is impossible to do without temporarily euthanizing an animal (we are not talking about euthanasia in this article).
These include the following points:
- operations: they are impossible to carry out while the dog is conscious;
- severe pain that prevents the animal from sleeping (sedatives ease the pet’s suffering);
- transportation (for most animals, moving and flying are a lot of stress, which can be relieved with sleeping pills);
- cosmetic procedures - some pets show strong resistance to nail trimming and hair trimming.
Sometimes you have to euthanize your dog first in order to give it a vaccination. And when aggression and strong excitement occur, the animal simply needs sleeping pills.
You should not use sedatives yourself to calm your pet. The selection of the product and determination of the dosage is carried out exclusively by the veterinarian.
The effect of sleeping pills on the pet’s body
If the dose of the sedative is chosen correctly, the animal calmly falls asleep. This is preceded by a decrease in concentration, a slowdown in all reactions, and muscle relaxation.
Note! Sleeping pills can have side effects such as nausea (even vomiting), diarrhea, an allergic reaction, and changes in breathing rhythm.
If the dosage is incorrect, the dog will feel drowsy, although he may not fall asleep. But the drug still affects the central nervous system, and this is manifested by the following signs:
- weakness and fatigue;
- depression;
- decrease in blood pressure.
To avoid side effects, the pet must be examined beforehand. You cannot use sedatives on your pet without consulting a doctor .
In some cases, they are not recommended for use at home - only under the supervision of specialists.
How are animals euthanized in veterinary clinics?
In a veterinary clinic, euthanasia occurs using the most humane medical procedures. First, the veterinarian gives the four-legged patient an injection, usually in the muscle, after calculating how much medicine he needs. When putting an animal into a narcotic sleep, the presence of the owner is desirable - this will calm the dog.
As soon as the first injection takes effect, the veterinarian administers a second injection. The purpose of this procedure is to stop the heart. At the same time, the dog does not feel anything. At this stage, the doctor asks the pet owner to leave. He has no need to see the convulsions and convulsions of his four-legged friend.
If the animal is very nervous and displays aggression, a drug that relaxes the muscles is administered remotely. In this case, the killing process takes longer compared to standard manipulation. Euthanasia tablets are not used in veterinary medicine, because they only induce deep, long sleep. The tablets are slowly absorbed into the blood and are not able to immediately stop breathing and heart activity. They can provoke spasms, clonic convulsions, severe intoxication, and paralysis.
The hypnotic effect is achieved with Propofol. Adrenergic agonists (Domitor, Xylazine) are also used to enhance it. Zoletil is used for pain relief. Lidocaine causes cardiac arrest. The simplest and fastest scheme: Propofol is administered until consciousness is turned off and Lidocaine is administered subarachnoidally through the atlanto-occipital foramen. There is another option, which involves the intravenous injection of a mixture of 20% ethyl alcohol, 5% glucose solution and 1% magnesia.
This procedure lasts only a few minutes. There is no need to worry that your pet will be hurt. The manipulation is completely painless.
Commonly used drugs
All sleeping pills used for dogs are divided into types. Their choice depends on the situation that requires temporarily euthanizing the animal. Sedatives are classified according to the duration of their effects.
Types of sleeping pills
| View | Purpose | Recommended (titles) |
| Short term | They last no more than half an hour and are recommended for regulating sleep. Also used for medical and hygiene procedures, for transporting and catching dogs. | Introval, Xylanit, Thiopentone, Cyclobarbital |
| Medium action | Prescribed for cramps and severe pain. The drug is often administered to dogs before anesthesia and after surgery. | Barbital sodium, Noxiron, Phenobarbital |
| Long-lasting | Such remedies are rarely resorted to and only in cases where a long surgical procedure is planned, or the animal has sleep disorders | Barbamil, Carbromal, Chloral hydrate, Sodium etaminal |
Any sedative (even short-term) is used only as prescribed by a doctor. Uncontrolled administration of sleeping pills can harm the dog and lead to severe side effects.
Before prescribing such drugs, a specialist must examine the animal to ensure there are no contraindications.
Most chemical sedatives are not recommended if the animal has kidney and liver pathologies.
With the correct dosage, sleeping pills have a calming, analgesic effect. But it should be taken into account that with prolonged use, dogs may develop an addiction to such drugs.
The ethical side of the question: how humane is the euthanasia procedure?
There are two opinions on this matter. Opponents of euthanasia consider it a crime. They proceed from the fact that no one has the right to decide for a living being, which is a dog, when its time to die has come. Proponents of natural animal death reject arguments that artificial killing helps alleviate the plight of a sick or old pet. They believe that in life there is always room for miracles, and one should not deprive the dog of a chance to recover.
Proponents of euthanasia are convinced that if a person has taken responsibility for keeping a dog, he must do everything for the dog’s happy life. If an animal is suffering, euthanasia is a benefit for it and a necessary measure, which in no way can be interpreted as deliberate killing.
It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of how humane euthanasia is, so these debates will never stop. While the law in our country does not regulate the procedure for euthanasia of pets, the decision about whether to euthanize a pet or not depends entirely on its owner.
Source
Benzodiazepines: sedatives
Sleeping pills are divided into groups depending on their effect and composition. One of the groups of sedatives are benzodiazepines.
These medications quickly relieve symptoms, but are short- and medium-acting drugs.
Indicated in small doses for convulsions, anxiety, severe fear.
Sedatives are not prescribed if the pet has problems with internal organs involved in metabolism, as well as with the respiratory system. The drugs are contraindicated for pregnant and lactating dogs, as well as puppies.
Recommended benzodiazepines
| Name | a brief description of |
| Alprazolam (similar to Xanax) | The calming effect begins within 20 minutes and lasts about 6 hours. This drug is used most often, but the dosage is selected individually for each dog. |
| Clonazepam (Klonopin) | The drug is less popular than the previous fast-acting remedy, but the effect lasts longer than 8 hours |
| Valium (Diazepam) | Due to its high sedative effect, it is rarely used in dogs, only in cases of epileptic seizures |
The last remedy listed in the table has a strong negative effect on the central nervous system of animals, so it should not be used without a prescription.
Api-San Stop-stress
A drug from a group of sedative drugs that contain phenibut and a special complex of medicinal plants as the main ingredient. Available in the form of tablets of 200 grams. It has a positive effect on the normalization of brain function, increases vascular tone, reduces aggression, anxiety, hyperactivity, normalizes sleep, and is characterized by antioxidant properties. Prescribed to pets to prevent stress and sleep disturbances. Recommended for transportation, during training, exhibitions, grooming and other situations.
- for an animal weighing up to 30 kg – 1 tablet;
- more than 30 kg – 2 tablets.
Non-benzodiazepine tranquilizers
This group of drugs has a milder effect on the dog’s psyche and central nervous system. As a sedative, the medication quickly eliminates anxiety without causing drowsiness.
Expert opinion
Makarenko Svetlana Igorevna
Practicing veterinarian, 15 years of experience.
Helps cope with phobias and is effective in treating urinary incontinence caused by sudden fear.
Buspirone
Veterinarians prescribe only one drug from the group of non-benzodiazepine tranquilizers to dogs - Buspirone (Russian name "Spitomin").
Even small doses of the medicine give a good result, so the product is suitable for calming small breeds.
The treatment is carried out over a course (4-6 weeks) and does not cause addiction or side effects. Reception begins with a small dose of 0.7 mg per kg of body weight twice a day, gradually increasing the amount of the drug to 1 mg/kg per dose.
Briefly about the main thing
- Sedatives for dogs are required to normalize the central nervous system. Used to relieve anxiety, reduce the experience of stress or unpleasant emotions.
- Pharmacological drugs are highly effective. May cause side effects, there are contraindications. Effective drugs in this group: Diazepam, Clomicalm, Buspirone, Fluoxetine.
- To calm the pet, extracts of medicinal plants and herbal squeezes are used. Preparations based on them: No stress, Fospasim, Kot Bayun, Fitex.
- Useful herbs to calm your dog: valerian, motherwort, skullcap, passionflower.
Have you experienced stress in your dog? Share in the comments what medications helped you cope with this problem.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Serious side effects are possible in dogs after taking medications of this group, so the doctor prescribes them only in special cases - with panic fear with obvious aggression, obsessive disorders and various phobias. But first the animal is examined: it is necessary to make sure that there are no contraindications.
The most commonly used antidepressants in veterinary medicine are Clomicalm (Clomipramine) and Elavil (Amitriptyline).
These products have a cumulative effect, so the first results of treatment will be noticeable after 1.5-2 weeks.
The course begins with a small dose, gradually increasing to the optimal dose, which is determined by a specialist.
During treatment with tranquilizers of this group, blood control is required, because the drugs suppress the hematopoietic processes occurring in the bone marrow.
Antidepressants: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Tranquilizer inhibitors are indicated for panic disorders, general anxiety, fear of loneliness, compulsive behavior and aggression. But to achieve at least some results in treatment, a long course of therapy is necessary.
In this case, side effects are possible - drowsiness and problems with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
The list of selective inhibitors includes the following drugs used on dogs: Ladose, Prozac, Sarafem, Solax. These are all analogues of the drug known as Fluoxetine.
As in other cases, the course of treatment with inhibitors begins with minimal doses and is gradually increased to the maximum allowable amount. For the treatment of dogs, the start starts at 0.7 mg/kg per day and increases to 1 mg/kg.
For travelers
Transportation is always stressful for a pet. In order not to expose him to unnecessary anxiety, you need to purchase sedatives for the trip in advance. At the same time, if you are planning a short trip lasting up to 1 hour, substances with short-term effects are suitable. For longer trips and air flights, you need to euthanize your dog for the entire duration of the journey. In this case, medications of medium and strong effects will be needed.
Sleeping pills for dogs should be selected by a veterinarian on an individual basis. Self-administration can have serious consequences, including the death of the animal.
Preparations based on pheromones
Mammals have special glands that release volatile compounds into the environment (these are pheromones). Animals detect such odors at the molecular level and react sensitively to them.
Expert opinion
Panteleeva Irina Petrovna
Breeder, 11 years experience.
With the help of artificially created analogues, you can control the dog’s behavior.
To make it easier for the pet to cope with fears and anxieties, he is prescribed a drug that imitates the smell of a nursing female. In animals it evokes a feeling of peace and security.
Sedatives are available in the form of sprays, electric and ultrasonic diffusers.
You can also find collars impregnated with pheromones at the pharmacy. Among the popular remedies, Help dog and Adaptil are recommended.
Video “Effect of sleeping pills”
How a pet falls asleep after the drug is shown in the video (Anastasia Zadorina).
Sleeping pills are a medicine that should be used for animals only on the recommendation of a veterinarian. Sleeping pills can be used in several cases: when transporting a pet, during surgery, or when diagnosing insomnia and a nervous state in an animal.
When is sleeping pills needed?
What sleeping pills are suitable for a long journey?
Video “Dog and sleeping pills”
Comments and Reviews
Products based on plant extracts
At home, it is permissible to use folk remedies of plant origin - infusions and decoctions.
The most popular and effective:
- valerian helps eliminate neurosis, relieves excitement and muffles panic;
- motherwort is identical in action to valerian, but its properties are milder;
- passionflower has a stronger effect than valerian, but, unlike it, does not cause aggression in dogs;
- Scutellaria copes well not only with acute forms of neuroses, it is also effective in chronic processes, and is recommended in stressful situations.
Before giving your pet herbal remedies, consult a veterinarian. Natural therapy is used with caution in animals with vascular and heart problems.
Some pets may have an allergic reaction to herbal compounds.
You can buy herbal drops at your veterinary pharmacy.
The most effective are considered:
- Hormone Balancer Flower Essence;
- DBD Relax Plus;
- Fitex;
- Cat Baiyun.
In addition to the calming effect, they also have a general strengthening effect, and also supply the body with nutritional components.
Indications for euthanasia by law
In our country, this procedure is not regulated by law. The main guideline in veterinary practice is the European Convention for the Protection of Domestic Animals No. 125. At the moment, Russia has not yet joined it.
On December 27, 2022, the federal law “On the Responsible Treatment of Animals...” was adopted, but it does not establish the procedure for the euthanasia of pets, including dogs. The only cases in which it is allowed to kill animals found in a shelter are specified: when “it is necessary to stop the unbearable physical suffering of non-viable animals in the presence of a serious incurable disease of the animal or incurable consequences of an acute injury that are incompatible with the life of the animal, reliably established by a specialist in the field of veterinary medicine.”
In this regard, the owner makes the decision on the need to kill his four-legged friend independently. Indications for euthanasia include:
Precautionary measures
All sleeping pills are strong and can cause side effects. They should not be used without a doctor's prescription. The medicine is given to the pet strictly as directed and the degree of exposure is monitored.
Expert opinion
Makarenko Svetlana Igorevna
Practicing veterinarian, 15 years of experience.
Aggressively agitated dogs should not be given sedatives orally - there is a risk of being bitten. In this case, it is wiser to use a quick-acting injection.
How to give correctly
Before euthanizing your pet, you must obtain instructions on how to use the prescribed drug from your veterinarian. The specialist will assess the situation and the individual characteristics of the animal. Independent uncontrolled use is unacceptable!
However, there are general recommendations on how to give your dog sleeping pills.
The drug in the form of drops is quite simple to use. When it's time to feed your pet, you can add it to food or water.
If your veterinarian prescribes sleeping pills for dogs, you may need to try a few things:
If you are going to give injections, you will need to correctly calculate the dosage and choose the injection site. It is better to entrust this procedure to a specialist.
