Diazepam for dogs?
Discussion
To any vets out there.
We have to take Barney (cocker spaniel) for his annual boosters next week. Last year he got so stressed whilst on the vet's table, he expressed his anal gland. Not nice. The vet suggested we sedate him this time and has suggested Diazepam. I told him I had some left over from a previous prescription of my own, and the receptionist told me, as they are only 2mg to give him four, one hour before bringing him in. Does this sound about right? He weighs 42lbs (19kg).
We have to take Barney (cocker spaniel) for his annual boosters next week. Last year he got so stressed whilst on the vet's table, he expressed his anal gland. Not nice. The vet suggested we sedate him this time and has suggested Diazepam. I told him I had some left over from a previous prescription of my own, and the receptionist told me, as they are only 2mg to give him four, one hour before bringing him in. Does this sound about right? He weighs 42lbs (19kg).
I don't know the vet should really px them for you with appropriate dosing. This is the usual way to do it. We'd never tell someone to use there own valium unless an emergency situation.
Dose needs vary greatly so a test run should be done first to assess reaction to dose. If the dose is wrong it can make a dog more hyped not less.
Ideally your dog needs to become desensitized to the vets by having social visits to the vet (we do this a lot) expressing anal glands is not that uncommon but what else did he do? How calm was the vet, was your dog allowed time to chill out, potter round the room, get treats etc. If all this was done and things really are that bad for your dog then properly prescribed and dose tested valium can be useful.
Prob not the answer you were after but it just seemed an unusual thing to do unless your dog unless he really is the extreme end to start stressing before a vet visit (I cab only think of one dog on our books and he had been abused as a pup!)
Dose needs vary greatly so a test run should be done first to assess reaction to dose. If the dose is wrong it can make a dog more hyped not less.
Ideally your dog needs to become desensitized to the vets by having social visits to the vet (we do this a lot) expressing anal glands is not that uncommon but what else did he do? How calm was the vet, was your dog allowed time to chill out, potter round the room, get treats etc. If all this was done and things really are that bad for your dog then properly prescribed and dose tested valium can be useful.
Prob not the answer you were after but it just seemed an unusual thing to do unless your dog unless he really is the extreme end to start stressing before a vet visit (I cab only think of one dog on our books and he had been abused as a pup!)
Edited by bexVN on Saturday 5th April 14:24
Not got a formulary to hand, but from memory 10mg/dog is the dose used for muscle relaxtion, so he might be a bit wobbly on 8mg! Pretty sure he should be having a lower dose than that, but really you need to be speaking to one of the vets rather than the receptionist, who really shouldn't be advising you on prescription medications.
bexVN said:
expressing anal glands is not that uncommon but what else did he do?]
What do you mean? He wasn't aggressive, just really scared. Having the injection was ok, it was putting the kennel cough drops up his nose that freaked him out. It's a forty mile trip to the vets, so social visits are a bit awkward. Fitting them in around work and opening hours. He's always been a bit skittish from day one, and spooks easily. With regards to the Valium; the vet only suggested using the ones I had, as he couldn't post them out due to being a controlled drug. He has offered to post out an alternative, but not as effective. I think I may take this route. Thanks for your comments though, Bex.Mainly that just expressing anal glands is not enough of a reason to start using valium so assumed there must've been other reasons for the suggestion.
Anyway I would phone your vets and ask them to give you a specific dose to give him. (spk to the vet who suggested it rather than via a receptionist if you want to feel more confident re:the initial advice given)
Anyway I would phone your vets and ask them to give you a specific dose to give him. (spk to the vet who suggested it rather than via a receptionist if you want to feel more confident re:the initial advice given)
Edited by bexVN on Sunday 6th April 18:51
Edited by bexVN on Sunday 6th April 18:53
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