{"id":630832,"date":"2024-12-30T12:40:08","date_gmt":"2024-12-30T17:40:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630832"},"modified":"2024-12-30T12:40:08","modified_gmt":"2024-12-30T17:40:08","slug":"diazepam-for-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/diazepam-for-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Diazepam for cats: Uses, risks, and safety guidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most people have heard the brand name <\/span>Valium<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>Diazepam<\/span><\/a> is the generic version. Veterinarians commonly use it as a sedative, <\/span>anxiety treatment<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>seizure medication<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>muscle relaxant<\/span><\/a> in cats and dogs. It\u2019s often used on an as-needed basis, but veterinarians are cautious about giving cats diazepam on a daily basis. Some cats can experience life-threatening liver injury when taking daily oral diazepam. It\u2019s a rare occurrence, but veterinary medicine can\u2019t explain why it even happens at all. Some veterinarians may refuse to use it as a daily medication in cats.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Diazepam is a common veterinary drug that is a first-line treatment for active seizures, though its use as a daily maintenance treatment for seizures is debated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to seizures, veterinarians may prescribe diazepam on an as-needed to keep cats calm during anxiety-inducing situations such as a vet visit or traveling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It can be an effective treatment for general <\/span>anxiety<\/span><\/a>, behavioral problems, urethral obstruction, and urine spraying, but its use as a daily treatment for these problems is controversial.<\/span><\/p>\n

Less commonly, some veterinarians may use it as an appetite stimulant in cats that are not eating, but <\/span>it\u2019s not their first choice<\/span><\/a>. Some veterinarians may use it as a tranquilizer <\/span>for veterinary procedures<\/span><\/a> to calm the cat before administering anesthetics.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Diazepam is the <\/span>most common medication<\/span><\/a> used to calm seizures in cats, particularly long-acting seizures or seizures that won\u2019t stop (status epilepticus). Diazepam is a <\/span>benzodiazepine<\/span><\/a>, a family of drugs that slow down the nervous system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When a cat is having seizures, the veterinarian will give a diazepam intravenous bolus (single injection) along with other drugs called <\/span>anticonvulsants<\/span><\/a>. They will continue to inject diazepam every five minutes until the seizures stop. If that doesn\u2019t work, they may start an intravenous constant-rate infusion of diazepam or use other drugs to stop the seizure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Doctors commonly use diazepam as a seizure maintenance treatment in people to prevent seizures. Veterinarians generally avoid diazepam as a seizure maintenance treatment in both dogs and cats. In dogs, the drug doesn\u2019t last long. In cats, there\u2019s a small risk of serious liver injury.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Diazepam quickly tranquilizes an animal, so veterinarians commonly use it as a one-time treatment to pacify an animal in stressful situations. It works when caregivers can anticipate a potentially panic-provoking situation like taking a cat on a trip or right before a vet visit. Doses need to be given at least a half hour before the cat undergoes stress.<\/span><\/p>\n

Veterinarians may use it as an ongoing anxiety or problem behavior treatment. It\u2019s also effective at reducing urine spraying or urine marking, behavioral problems that are closely related to anxiety. However, chronic, daily use of diazepam in cats is controversial, so <\/span>its use for anxiety and urine marking has diminished over the years<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The urethra is a long tube that passes urine from the bladder out of the body. When the urethra is obstructed, the cat is partly or totally unable to empty the bladder. It\u2019s a common problem in male cats. Urethral obstruction may affect <\/span>1.5%\u20139%<\/span><\/a> of cats at some time in their lives. The standard treatment involves emergency veterinary care, catheterization, medications, and brief hospitalization.<\/span><\/p>\n

After emergency treatment, the cat may need <\/span>further care<\/span><\/a> with anesthetics, pain relievers, or muscle relaxants. Diazepam is a skeletal muscle relaxant and was once a first-line treatment for urethral spasms in cats, but its use in cats is less common now because of the risk of liver injury.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Diazepam is commonly used in cats but may not be safe for every cat. Diazepam is never given to cats that have had an allergic reaction to diazepam.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Veterinarians are cautious about giving cats daily doses of diazepam because of the small risk of liver injury and hepatic failure. The liver can start failing within a few days of starting diazepam and quickly prove fatal. Veterinarians do not know why this happens. They can\u2019t predict which cats are vulnerable. When daily diazepam is prescribed to a cat, the only way to keep the cat safe is to perform a blood test at the beginning of treatment and again <\/span>after a few days<\/span><\/a> to monitor liver function.<\/span><\/p>\n

Veterinarians are also cautious about using diazepam in cats that are aggressive or have slow breathing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diazepam is a controlled substance and may not be safe for people if used inappropriately. If prescribed for a cat, do not give it to other people. Keep it securely out of the reach of children and pets.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Diazepam\u2019s most common side effects in cats are behavior changes including:<\/span><\/p>\n