So, your dog is suffering from behavioral issues and insomnia. You want your dog to be lively again and also want them to be happy and healthy. But, what medication to give? Is Quetiapine safe? Wondering can I give my dog Quetiapine? Well, you need to read this article before you administer any self-medication.
Do you have a specific question about giving your dog Quetiapine? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here's what we'll cover:
Is it okay to give my dog Quetiapine?
Well, Quetiapine, which contains Seroquel, is not safe for dogs. Even though it is safe for humans, it is not the ideal sedative for canines. A dog who swallows Quetiapine by mistake can suffer from dangerous side effects.
Many vets often report cases related to mistaken pill swallowing incidents that cause the dogs to suffer severe health conditions due to medical poisoning.
So, please do not give your dog Quetiapine at any cost. On top of that, keep the medicine away from your dog’s reach to ensure the pet is always safe.
Side effects of Quetiapine for dogs
As it has been told before, Quetiapine can cause serious health issues and complications in dogs. The medicine starts to work after one hour. But, for fast-release medication, the symptoms often begin to show within twenty minutes of swallowing the pills.
Being a Tricyclic antidepressant, it can cause atopy and allergic reactions in canines. The common symptoms are-
- Sleepy or dizziness
- Arrhythmias
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
- Hyperexcitability
- Excessive vomiting
- Tachycardia
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Mydriasis
- Reduced lacrimation and salivation
- Urine retention
- Constipation
- Sudden blood pressure falls or increases in blood pressure
- Lethargy
- Agitation or aggression in some cases
- Tremors or occasional seizures
- Rapid heartbeat
- Trouble in walking and standing
- Sudden collapse
- In some cases, coma or sudden death has also been reported.
Modern veterinary science is still working to find out the long-term effects of Quetiapine on dogs. But, these symptoms mentioned above are severe. Hence, if your dog swallows Quetiapine by any mistake, you need to take swift action-
If your dog somehow swallows Quetiapine, here is what you can do-
- One of the most recommended methods is to induce vomiting in your dog. Vomiting can help remove the residual medicine from their stomach and stop severe issues to a certain extent.
- After induced vomiting, visit the nearest vet clinic
- If the symptoms are persistent, go to the nearest vet hospital in your town
- Always bring the original foil or pill bottle with you to ensure the doctors can start the medication as soon as possible
Are behavioral issues common in dogs?
Dogs are intelligent beings, but they can also suffer from behavioral issues. They also have emotions and may react differently when sad or feeling threatened. Here are some common behavioral issue symptoms in dogs-
- Separation anxiety
- Stealing things
- Inappropriate elimination
- Rough play
- Lethargy or refusing to get up
- Trauma
- Refusing to be near people, even their master
- Begging for food
- Excessive barking
- Fear of noises
- Disobedience
- Being overprotective
- Escaping
- Eating poop, etc.
Which antidepressant medicines are safe for dogs?
The vet will examine the condition of your pet and will administer some medications to your dog. But, if you find your dog suffers from behavioral issues like lethargy or hyper-activeness, it is better to visit the vet as early as possible. Despite being canines, they can also develop such health conditions.
Here are some of the safe medications that your dog may be prescribed due to their behavioral issues-
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Amitriptyline
- Buspirone
- Clomipramine
- Dexmedetomidine (Sileo)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Lorazepam (Ativan), etc.
But, it is better to prevent any mistakes caused by self-medication. Hence, only use the prescribed medication for your dog.
What to do to prevent your dog from swallowing Quetiapine by accident?
You already know the answer to “Can I give my dog Quetiapine. So, always ensure that your dog never gets closer to anything harmful to them. Here is what you can do-
- Keep the medicine out of their reach on a shelf or in a different place that your dog does not frequent
- Train them properly
- Always keep a close watch on a puppy or a new dog that you bring home
When you have a pet, and there’s Quetiapine at your place, ensure your dog stays away from it. In case it accidentally swallows, take immediate action.
Thanks for the blog graphics: Canva.com
Thanks for the blog graphics: Canva.com
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