{"id":629099,"date":"2024-07-30T12:54:26","date_gmt":"2024-07-30T16:54:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=629099"},"modified":"2025-10-06T09:42:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T13:42:33","slug":"lorazepam-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/lorazepam-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Lorazepam for dogs: Dosage and safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lorazepam<\/span><\/a> is a prescription drug people may better recognize by its brand name, Ativan. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine like Valium (diazepam). Veterinarians may use it in place of diazepam to treat long-lasting seizures or anxiety behaviors in dogs. Doses can be given in tablet or liquid form, but veterinarians use lorazepam injections to treat seizures. Lorazepam is a powerful sedative that may cause problems or health issues in a small animal, so veterinarians use it for limited periods.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Veterinarians use lorazepam to treat long-lasting <\/span>seizures<\/span><\/a> or behavior disorders such as phobias, fears, or situational anxieties.<\/span><\/p>\n

Status epilepticus<\/span><\/h3>\n

Long-lasting seizures are called status epilepticus, which means \u201cepileptic state.\u201d A dog experiencing <\/span>status epilepticus<\/span><\/a> has a seizure that lasts longer than five minutes without any clinical sign of stopping. Status epilepticus also describes repeated seizures without the central nervous system returning to normal in between seizures, again, with no sign of letting up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Status epilepticus is a veterinary emergency. Treatment often continues even after seizure activity is ended because of complications. Statistics show that as many as 25% of dogs do not survive emergency treatment. Surviving dogs will have a shorter life-span expectancy than epileptic dogs that never have an SE seizure.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>AKC Canine Health Foundation<\/span><\/a> estimates that 0.75% of dogs have epilepsy. About 60% of dogs with a seizure disorder will experience one or more status epilepticus seizures in their lifetime.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pet parents must immediately transport a dog to an emergency veterinary hospital if seizure activity doesn\u2019t let up. The general rule is to bring the dog to a veterinary hospital if it has three seizures within 24 hours to catch SE early.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Treatment is complex and involves many different drugs. Some drugs stop the seizures, some are used to stabilize the dog, and others treat or prevent complications. To stop the seizures, veterinarians typically use intravenous <\/span>diazepam<\/span><\/a> and levetiracetam<\/a>, an <\/span>anticonvulsant<\/span><\/a> drug. Instead of diazepam, a veterinarian may use intravenous lorazepam or midazolam in place. That\u2019s only the first part of the treatment. When the seizures end, the dog will be transitioned to other drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pet owners must start treatment at home if they can\u2019t get to the veterinary hospital fast enough. In those cases, they may already be familiar with administering nasal midazolam or rectal diazepam to stop their dog\u2019s seizures. All of these treatments require some training at the veterinarian\u2019s office.<\/span><\/p>\n

Problem behaviors or situational anxiety<\/span><\/h3>\n

Lorazepam is a powerful, short-acting sedative. It can quickly calm a fearful or aggressive dog before a stressful situation, such as going to the groomer, seeing a vet, traveling long distances, or enduring loud noises such as thunderstorms or fireworks. It can also cause problems. Side effects can be pronounced, and it can cause dependency and withdrawal. For this reason, veterinarians generally avoid using lorazepam as a long-term, daily therapy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For short-term sedation involving situations that elicit aggressive or fearful behaviors in a dog, veterinarians are most likely to prescribe <\/span>trazodone<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>gabapentin<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>diazepam<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>alprazolam<\/span><\/a> (also known as <\/span>Xanax<\/span><\/a>), or <\/span>clonazepam<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Klonopin<\/span><\/a>). Lorazepam is not typically a first choice.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Lorazepam is a risky drug, but it\u2019s safe enough to give to a dog for a limited time. For this reason, veterinarians limit its use to extraordinary situations like long-lasting seizures or highly stressful situations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lorazepam is never given to dogs that have had an allergic reaction to any type of benzodiazepine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Veterinarians will use lorazepam cautiously in dogs with liver disease, kidney disease, or glaucoma or who are geriatric, debilitated, or aren\u2019t breathing well.<\/span><\/p>\n

One unexpected side effect of lorazepam is that it can make a dog more agitated. Although this is not a common side effect, it\u2019s problematic enough that a veterinarian may avoid giving it to dogs with a history of aggressiveness.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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