{"id":628364,"date":"2024-05-24T11:36:07","date_gmt":"2024-05-24T15:36:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628364"},"modified":"2025-10-06T15:39:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T19:39:33","slug":"diazepam-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/diazepam-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Diazepam for dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Diazepam<\/span><\/a> is a generic drug widely known by its brand-name version, <\/span>Valium<\/span><\/a>. Veterinarians use it in dogs to treat seizures, anxiety, and difficulty peeing due to tightening or obstruction of the urethra. They may also use it as a sedative before veterinary procedures that require anesthesia. Diazepam is a fast-acting sedative that belongs to the <\/span>benzodiazepine<\/span><\/a> family. Because of its potency and other potential problems, veterinarians typically only use it as needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Veterinarians use diazepam to treat active <\/span>seizures<\/span><\/a>, extreme situational <\/span>anxiety<\/span><\/a>, urethral constriction, and pre-anesthetic sedation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Seizures<\/span><\/h3>\n

Diazepam is the <\/span>most common medication<\/span><\/a> used to quiet seizures in dogs, particularly long-lasting seizures called status epilepticus. Diazepam works like a tranquilizer by slowing down nerves. In a veterinary clinic or animal hospital, veterinarians usually give intravenous injections of diazepam and other drugs called <\/span>anticonvulsants<\/span><\/a> like phenobarbital or levetiracetam<\/a>. In dogs that <\/span>regularly have seizures<\/span><\/a>, owners may be sent home with a rectal gel such as Diastat, intranasal spray, or the injection solution, along with a catheter for rectal dosing or an adapter for intranasal dosing during an active seizure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anxiety<\/span><\/h3>\n

Diazepam is a fast-acting anxiolytic (anti-anxiety medication), but because of side effects and other problems, it\u2019s not used as a daily, long-term treatment. Instead, pet owners will give the dog diazepam when it\u2019s necessary to calm the dog before or during stressful situations such as thunderstorms or being left alone. Veterinarians may also prescribe it for behavior problems related to anxiety, such as aggression or compulsive behaviors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Preanesthetic sedation<\/span><\/h3>\n

To perform surgery or other veterinary procedures, a veterinary professional may give a dog a dose of diazepam or other sedative before administering anesthesia. Diazepam makes the dog very sleepy but doesn\u2019t put the dog to sleep or numb pain. Instead, sedation makes it easier to induce anesthesia. Diazepam isn\u2019t always the veterinarian\u2019s first choice. The veterinarian has other <\/span>sedation choices<\/span><\/a>, including <\/span>opioids<\/span><\/a>. However, the great benefit of drugs like diazepam is that they don\u2019t slow down breathing or the heart the way opioids or other sedatives might.<\/span><\/p>\n

Urethral obstruction<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some dogs have trouble peeing because the urethra is blocked or partly blocked. The urethra is a long tube that passes urine from the bladder out of the body. It has two muscle linings. The inside lining is smooth muscle, like the muscle in your intestines. The outside layer is skeletal muscle, like the muscle in your arms. In dogs with urethral obstruction, diazepam is used as a muscle relaxant to loosen the skeletal muscles in the outer layer of the urethra. Veterinarians prescribe diazepam for urethral obstruction in continuous daily doses given up to three times per day. Doses are spread throughout the day during the times the dog normally urinates.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other conditions<\/span><\/h3>\n

Veterinarians may also use diazepam for metronidazole poisoning\u2014<\/span>metronidazole<\/span><\/a> is an antibiotic\u2014or as an appetite stimulant. Diazepam is the drug of choice for <\/span>metronidazole toxicity<\/span><\/a>, but it\u2019s not an ideal drug for increasing a dog\u2019s appetite because of its adverse effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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

As in humans, diazepam is a risky drug. It is a federally controlled substance because of the risk of physical dependence, tolerance, withdrawal, abuse, and overdose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diazepam is never given to dogs that have had an allergic reaction to diazepam.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diazepam is used with caution in dogs with liver or kidney disease or who are pregnant, breastfeeding, geriatric, debilitated, comatose, in shock, or aren\u2019t breathing well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Veterinarians are also cautious about using diazepam in aggressive dogs. There is a small possibility that a dog will react to diazepam by becoming more aggressive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Side effects of diazepam in dogs<\/span><\/h3>\n

The <\/span>most common side effects<\/span><\/a> of diazepam in dogs are:<\/span><\/p>\n