Diazepam for Cats - Cat Valium Dosage and Uses
See files for Cats
In this AnimalWised article we will talk about a drug with which we must be especially careful, diazepam. This precaution is due to its effects on the central nervous system. The benefits of this action depend on a prescription and a dosage strictly controlled by the veterinarian. Therefore, we should never give diazepam for cats on our own.
In this article we review the characteristics of use of this drug, its contraindications and its adverse effects. So, if you are thinking of giving diazepam to a cat , read carefully before doing so.
What is diazepam?
Diazepam is a benzodiazepine known for its hypnotic and sedative properties . It acts as a central nervous system depressant and has been used in medicine since the 1950s. Its effect is due to the fact that it enhances the action of certain neurotransmitters and depresses transmission between certain neurons in the CNS. This effect will be greater or lesser depending on the dose administered. Therefore, it will be beneficial in some clinical situations. Next, we review the most common uses of diazepam for cats.
What is diazepam for cats good for?
Diazepam has tranquilizing or anxiolytic, sedative, anticonvulsant, antispasmodic effects at the musculoskeletal level and muscle relaxants. Among its uses, its role as a sedative stands out . This allows it to be included as one of the drugs in premedication and induction of anesthesia , that is, it is part of the medical protocol that is followed before complete anesthesia of the animal to be able to undergo any intervention. This use facilitates the management of anesthesia during the course of the operation and improves subsequent recovery.
Diazepam is also used for cats when the animal has seizures or is in a state of hyperarousal. Another use is as an orexigen , that is to say, stimulating the appetite in weak cats and with anorexia. In some cases, it could also be used to treat behavioral problems, such as aggressiveness or urine marking . Of course, always with the vet's prescription.
Diazepam dosage for cats
Due to its uses, diazepam is often administered by the veterinarian in injectable form . It is often used as an emergency treatment and, once the cat is stabilized, it is switched to another type of oral medication that the caregiver can continue to give at home. Diazepam is usually limited to short treatments and can be given intravenously, intramuscularly, or rectally by your vet.
The dosage will depend on the reason for the prescription. That is, this will vary depending on what you intend to treat. Seizures are not the same as anesthetizing the cat or stimulating its appetite. It also depends on the route of administration, on whether a single dose is prescribed, as in premedications, or several, on the evolution and weight of the animal, etc.
Likewise, there is no fixed duration for its use, but it will depend on each particular case with all the factors involved that we have mentioned. Therefore, we should never administer diazepam to our cat on our own. It can only be prescribed by the veterinarian, who will also have to monitor the evolution of the animal and schedule its withdrawal in the case of prolonged treatments, since it is a drug that can create dependence. For this reason, in addition, you cannot stop giving abruptly.
For all the above, if you consider administering diazepam to sleep cats because your feline is very nervous, active or you need to calm him down for whatever reason, this is not a good idea. In any of these cases, it is best to go to the veterinary clinic so that a professional can determine what happens to your cat. In addition, in this video you will find different ways to relax a cat, as long as it does not have any health problems:
Contraindications of diazepam for cats
Of course, diazepam should not be administered to a cat that has previously manifested a hypersensitivity reaction to this substance or we suspect that it may be allergic. In addition, due to the mode of action of diazepam, great care must be taken with its joint administration with other drugs. Therefore, if our cat is receiving any medication and the veterinarian does not know it, we must notify him to avoid interactions that could alter the metabolism or the effectiveness of the drug or be dangerous.
On the other hand, diazepam cannot be given for a long time without strict veterinary supervision. Remember that in these cases dependence is possible. In addition, caution must be exercised when administering diazepam to cats:
- Of advanced age
- Very weakened, in shock, or in a coma .
- With kidney or liver damage .
- Dehydrated or anemic .
- In a situation of respiratory depression .
- With obesity.
- With glaucoma.
- In pregnancy or in the lactation period .
In the latter case, if the veterinarian decides to use it, the kittens will have to be closely monitored to detect early any signs of sedation that could interfere with the normal suction of milk.
Side effects of diazepam for cats
Among the adverse effects of diazepam in cats are:
- Drowsiness
- Uncoordination .
- Alterations in behavior , such as aggressiveness or hyperarousal.
- Liver damage , which will manifest itself with depression, vomiting, anorexia and jaundice , which is the yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes.
- Increased appetite , which is why it is sometimes prescribed for this purpose.
In these cases, the veterinarian will have to assess the modification of the treatment. Any other effect that we think is associated with diazepam also has to be reported to the veterinarian. Also, if diazepam is given too quickly intravenously, it can lead to decreased blood pressure, blood clots, and heart problems.
Diazepam overdose in cats
Diazepam for cats given at a higher dose than the recommended dose can cause serious adverse effects, such as severe central nervous system depression , manifested by disorientation, decreased reflexes or coma. This condition is aggravated if the cat is consuming other drugs with action on the CNS. Any of these signs is a reason for urgent consultation with the veterinarian, who will have to prescribe a support treatment. A drop in blood pressure and cardiorespiratory depression are also detected in some cats.
This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to Diazepam for Cats - Cat Valium Dosage and Uses, we recommend you visit our Medicine category.
