{"id":627589,"date":"2024-03-28T18:10:49","date_gmt":"2024-03-28T22:10:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=627589"},"modified":"2026-05-08T14:31:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T18:31:41","slug":"methocarbamol-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/methocarbamol-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Methocarbamol for dogs: Dosage and safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

Methocarbamol<\/span><\/a> is a <\/span>skeletal muscle relaxant<\/span><\/a> prescribed to dogs to relieve muscle spasms and pain due to injuries, spinal disc problems, swelling, or poisoning. Because methocarbamol acts on the central nervous system rather than directly on the muscles, it reduces muscle rigidity without affecting muscle tone, unlike other muscle relaxants. The brand name version of methocarbamol is Robaxin, but for animals, this is only available as an injectable or tablets called Robaxin-V.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is methocarbamol used for in dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

As a skeletal muscle relaxant, methocarbamol relieves muscle tremors, spasms, and pain in dogs due to injury, inflammation, intervertebral disc disease, or certain types of poisoning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Musculoskeletal injury<\/span><\/h3>\n

Veterinarians use injectable and oral methocarbamol for muscle pain and spasms <\/span>due to injuries<\/span><\/a>, such as strains and sprains of muscles or ligaments. It\u2019s also FDA-approved to treat bursitis or swollen joints in dogs and cats. Veterinarians also use it to calm muscle spasms before or after surgery, and to treat spinal cord injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Intervertebral disc disease<\/span><\/h3>\n

Spinal column discs are fibrous tissues that help keep the spine\u2019s bones aligned and provide cushioning between the bones. These discs can degenerate, calcify, or be injured, causing pain and loss of movement. Called intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), disc problems are the most common cause of <\/span>back pain in dogs<\/span><\/a>. IVDD mainly affects a dog\u2019s back. About 65% of dogs with IVDD have back problems, while only 18% have problems solely in the neck. Medications such as methocarbamol can be used to control pain in the <\/span>early stages of IVDD<\/span><\/a>, but surgery may be required at some point.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Poisoning<\/span><\/h3>\n

Methocarbamol is a drug of choice for treating strychnine poisoning, snail bait poisoning, and tetanus. It may also calm muscle tremors due to tremor-inducing fungal or guarana (caffeine) toxicity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strychnine is a <\/span>common cause of dog poisoning<\/span><\/a>. It is a powerful poison commonly found in rat or gopher bait. These rodent baits contain food that attracts dogs, who dig them up and eat them. Malicious dog poisoning with rat or gopher bait is also possible. Dogs who eat a strychnine-laced product will experience <\/span>muscle stiffness, tremors, and seizures<\/span><\/a>, which veterinarians will treat with methocarbamol and other <\/span>anticonvulsants<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Metaldehyde is the toxin in snail bait, which is <\/span>usually flavored with molasses or bran<\/span><\/a> and attracts both snails and other animals, like pets. However, metaldehyde poisoning in dogs is <\/span>rare<\/span><\/a>. Shortly after a dog consumes metaldehyde, it will start twitching. This can worsen into severe twitching, seizures, and eventually death if the dog isn\u2019t treated. Methocarbamol injections are a drug of choice to stop muscle spasms in a metaldehyde-poisoned dog.<\/span><\/p>\n

Methocarbamol is also the primary treatment for muscle rigidity due to tetanus, a bacterial infection that produces a poison that affects the muscles. Finally, some fungus poisons and herbal supplements containing <\/span>both guarana and ma huang<\/span><\/a> can cause uncontrolled muscle tremors in a dog. Again, methocarbamol is a treatment of choice to calm these muscle problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is methocarbamol safe for dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved methocarbamol for dogs as safe and effective. Like all drugs, it\u2019s not 100% safe.<\/span><\/p>\n