If you’re unfamiliar with the term “Benzodiazepine,” don’t worry – it’s a complex medical term. However, you might already be familiar with the drugs known as benzos, which are prescribed to help with anxiety disorders, depression, and other mental illnesses. These drugs can also be prescribed to dogs who experience extreme anxiety and stress. While benzos can be helpful, it’s important to be cautious as they can be dangerous if misused. This article will discuss when to speak to your vet about giving your dog benzos, signs of incorrect dosage or benzodiazepine poisoning, and how to train your dog to stay away from these medications.
Signs Your Dog Has Benzo Poisoning
Administering benzos to dogs can be tricky, as maintaining the correct dosage is crucial. If the dosage is incorrect, your dog may experience benzo poisoning. This can occur if they consume human benzo medications, ingest too much on their own, or receive an accidental overdose. It’s important to recognize the signs of benzo poisoning in dogs. These signs include weakness, lethargy, slowed breathing, vomiting, confusion, decreased body temperature and blood pressure, muscle relaxation, and coordination difficulties.
Body Language
Here are some specific body language signs that may indicate your dog has benzo poisoning:
– Barking
– Head turning
– Drooling
– Raised hair on the back
– Dropped ears
– Averting eyes
– Freezing
Other Signs
In addition to body language, there are other signs that your dog may exhibit if they have benzo poisoning:
– Fatigue
– Lack of coordination
– Confusion and disorientation
– Labored breathing
– Relaxed muscles
– Heart arrhythmia
– Tachycardia
Historic Causes for Benzo Treatment in Dogs
Benzo medications are often prescribed to dogs with extreme anxiety or phobias. For example, if your dog is terrified of thunderstorms and exhibits severe fear symptoms such as incontinence, yelping, hiding, or running away, a vet-prescribed benzo may be a solution. Benzos can also be given to dogs in anticipation of panic-inducing situations, such as fireworks on the 4th of July. Dogs with irregular and extreme anxiety can benefit from these medications.
The Science of Benzos in Dogs
Benzodiazepines are medications that are absorbed by the stomach and small intestine, metabolized by the liver, and distributed throughout the dog’s body. These drugs affect the brain by regulating emotional reactions, muscle tone and coordination, and consciousness. Benzos enhance the neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma amino butyric acid), which helps slow down brain activity and control stress and anxiety.
Training Your Dog to Stay Away from Benzos
To ensure your dog’s safety, it’s essential to keep benzos out of their reach and away from their own prescribed medication. Training your dog to stay away from benzos can be achieved by keeping the medications in a secure location or out of their reach. It’s also important to teach your dog basic commands like “no,” “leave it,” and “stay.” Additionally, creating boundaries and training your dog to stay away from the area where the medications are stored can help prevent accidental ingestion.
“Training your dog to stay away from medication is essential for their health and safety.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Be aware of the signs of benzo poisoning in dogs. Some signs include weakness, lethargy, vomiting, confusion, drop in body temperature and blood pressure, and relaxed muscles. If you notice these symptoms, contact your vet immediately.
2️⃣ Understand the reasons why benzos might be prescribed to dogs. Benzos can be prescribed to dogs with severe anxiety, phobias, or stress disorders. They can also be used for special occasions or situations that may cause panic in dogs, such as thunderstorms or fireworks.
3️⃣ Take precautions to keep your dog away from benzos. Store your benzos in a safe place where your dog cannot reach them, and teach your dog basic commands like “no,” “leave it,” and “stay” to prevent them from accessing the medication. Training your dog to stay away from the medicine cabinet where the benzos are kept can help keep them safe.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Can dogs be prescribed benzos for anxiety and stress?
– Yes, dogs can be prescribed benzos for fears, phobias, and extreme stress levels.
2. What are the signs of benzodiazepine poisoning in dogs?
– Signs of benzodiazepine poisoning in dogs include weakness, lethargy, slow breathing, vomiting, confusion, drop in body temperature and blood pressure, muscle relaxation, and lack of coordination.
3. Under what circumstances should you talk to your vet about feeding your dog prescribed benzos?
– You should talk to your vet about feeding your dog prescribed benzos if your dog suffers from severe anxiety, fears, or phobias that significantly impact their well-being.
4. How can you tell if your dog has benzodiazepine poisoning?
– Signs of benzodiazepine poisoning in dogs include barking, head turning, drooling, raised back hair, dropped ears, averting eyes, freezing, fatigue, lack of coordination, confusion, labored breathing, relaxed muscles, heart arrhythmia, and tachycardia.
5. How can you train your dog to stay away from benzos?
– To train your dog to stay away from benzos, keep them out of reach, use basic commands like “no,” “leave it,” and “stay,” and establish boundaries by keeping the medication in a designated area that your dog is not allowed near.
