Remolacha Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 OK maybe this is a weird, or silly question, but can a dog get dependent (hooked) on something like Xanax? Between the monsoon thunderstorms and the upcoming fireworks, Conner has been on Xanax every evening for the last few days, and is likely to be on it for at least another week without a break. He'll probably be on it a lot over the next couple of months, it looks like we are in for an active monsoon this year. So, I started to worry. He needs to be on something, and this has really helped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time4ANap Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 It appears so. http://www.vetinfo.com/side-effects-of-xanax-for-dogs.html It looks like withdrawal may be the primary issue with continued use. I don't know if the storm that we just had made it down to you on the way through, but the whole house was shaking here. Give him some ear rubs from me. Quote Camp Broodie. The current home of Mark Kay Mark Jack and Gracie Kiowa Safe Joan. Always missing my boy Rocket Hi Noon Rocket, Allie Phoenix Dynamite, Kate Miss Kate, Starz Under Da Starz, Petunia MW Neptunia, Diva Astar Dashindiva, and LaVida I've Got Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 We just caught the edge of this one, but it still had him shaking. I will ask my vet about continued use, thanks Don. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Ask your vet about trazodone. Only lasts about 4 hours. Mazy chills out when on it but isn't acting drugged. Works best when we give at the very first inkling of a storm. Although the pills are 50mg, we're now able to give 1/4 pill at, adding another 1/4 two hours later if it's becoming an intense storm. Quote Freshy (Droopys Fresh), NoAh the podenco orito, Rita the podenco maneta, Howie the portuguese podengo maneto Angels: Lila, the podenco, Mr X aka Denali, Lulu the podenco andaluz, Hada the podenco maneta, Georgie Girl (UMR Cordella), Charlie the iggy, Mazy (CBR Crazy Girl), Potato, my mystery ibizan girl, Allen (M's Pretty Boy), Percy (Fast But True), Mikey (Doray's Patuti), Pudge le mutt, Tessa the iggy, Possum (Apostle), Gracie (Dusty Lady), Harold (Slatex Harold), "Cousin" Simon our step-iggy, Little Dude the iggy ,Bandit (Bb Blue Jay), Niña the galgo, Wally (Allen Hogg), Thane (Pog Mo Thoine), Oliver (JJ Special Agent), Comet, & Rosie our original mutt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time4ANap Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Was thinking about this again this morning. I was wondering if a benadryl would chill him out enough to sleep through it. I know it's not the intended use, but when I've given it to Rocket for itching, he sleeps for a few hours. Quote Camp Broodie. The current home of Mark Kay Mark Jack and Gracie Kiowa Safe Joan. Always missing my boy Rocket Hi Noon Rocket, Allie Phoenix Dynamite, Kate Miss Kate, Starz Under Da Starz, Petunia MW Neptunia, Diva Astar Dashindiva, and LaVida I've Got Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Short answer is yes, but he will likely need to be on it continually (24/7) for several days. If you're just giving it once a day the drug will have a chance to clear his system before the next dose. My Cash was on xanax before we tried Trazadone. I had always assumed she was "hooked" on it since she was on it every day, every 8 hours, for months. Then she had to go into the e-vet and be admitted to the hospital. They didn't give her her doses, even though I specifically told them she needed to have it and brought them pills to give her. She never had any withdrawal symptoms or anything we could identify as being an issue with not taking it, and even after coming home, she was much better with her anxiety. She was off all AA meds until a super big storm 8 months later. Then we switched to Trazadone and were really satisfied with her response. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeedlenoseJake Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 I feel for you. Jake is normally chill, but last night's storm had even him shaking. I slept through it all while DH tried to calm him Quote Photographer in Phoenix, AZ www.northmountainphoto.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 Yes, he is just getting it in the evening if storms are predicted. Thing is, they often die out before they get to us (central Phoenix, heat island effect), except when they don't, and there is often very little warning. Last night I was checking the radar pretty frequently, looked like everything was going to miss us, then I happened to see a flash of lightening out the window. Got his thunder shirt on and about 10 min. later, the thunder started. If I had waited until then to give the meds, well, eventually they would have helped, but I'd rather they were already in his system. I have emailed my vet to see hat she thinks, and I will ask about trazadone. and the fireworks are already starting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted July 1, 2015 Author Share Posted July 1, 2015 Talked to my vet, she doesn't think it would be a problem the way I am using it because it is fairly fast acting and doesn't stay in the system for long. Whew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatricksMom Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Talked to my vet, she doesn't think it would be a problem the way I am using it because it is fairly fast acting and doesn't stay in the system for long. Whew! Just be aware that if she takes it a lot or for a longer time, the faster acting the drug, the worse the withdrawal can be, because the brain isn't tapering off. Your poor baby, I wish we could somehow explain to them what's going on with the storms. We had to take Leo to Henry's vet appointment yesterday, he can handle the storms if we're with him but I think he'd lose it if we left him home alone. Quote Beth, Petey (8 September 2018- ), and Faith (22 March 2019). Godspeed Patrick (28 April 1999 - 5 August 2012), Murphy (23 June 2004 - 27 July 2013), Leo (1 May 2009 - 27 January 2020), and Henry (10 August 2010 - 7 August 2020), you were loved more than you can know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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