Drugs that May Be Useful in the Treatment of Canine Behavioral Diagnoses*


TABLE 02: Drugs that May Be Useful in the Treatment of Canine Behavioral Diagnoses^*

Drug^†	Formulation	Size^‡	Dosage
Alprazolam	Tablet	0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 mg†	0.01-0.1 mg/kg, PO, as needed for phobic or panic attacks‡; start with 1-2 mg for a 25 kg dog
Amitriptyline	Tablet	10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 mg	1-2 mg/kg, PO, bid to start
Buspirone	Tablet	5, 10 mg	1 mg/kg, PO, sid-tid (mild anxiety); 2.5-10 mg/dog, PO, sid-tid (mild anxiety); 10-15 mg/dog, PO, bid-tid (severe anxiety)§
Carbemazepine	Scored tablet Scored chewable tablet	200 mg 100 mg	4-8 mg/kg, PO, bid; 0.5-1.25 mg/kg, PO, tid; 4-10 mg/kg/day, divided tid
Chlordiazepoxide	Tablet¶	5, 10, 25 mg	2.2-6.6 mg/kg, PO, as needed
Clomipramine#	Scored tablet Capsule (human formulation)	20, 40, 80 mg** 25, 50, 75 mg	1-2 mg/kg, PO, bid; increase to 3 mg/kg, bid if necessary††
Clonazepam	Tablet	0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg	0.125-1.0 mg/kg, PO, bid; range 0.01-1.0 mg/kg, PO, as needed for phobic or panic attacks‡‡
Clorazepate	Tablet Capsule	3.75, 7.5, 11.25, 15, 22.5 mg 3.75, 7.5, 15 mg	0.5-2.2 mg/kg, PO, at least 1 hr before provocative stimulus; repeat every 4-6 hr as needed; 11.25-22.5 mg/large dog; ~11.25 mg/medium dog; ~5.6 mg/small dog
Diazepam	Tablet Solution	1, 2, 5, 10 mg 5 mg/mL	0.5-2.2 mg/kg, PO, at least 1 hr before provocative stimulus; repeat every 4-6 hr as needed
Doxepin	Capsule Solution	10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 mg 10 mg/mL	3-5 mg/kg, PO, bid-tid
Fluoxetine	Capsule Solution	10, 20 mg 5 mg/mL	1 mg/kg, PO, sid-bid
Fluvoxamine^§	Tablet^¶	25, 50, 100 mg^#	1 mg/kg, PO, sid-bid ^**
Imipramine^††	Tablet Capsule	10, 25, 50 mg 75, 100, 125, 150 mg	2.2-4.4 mg/kg, PO,sid-bid ; 1-2 or 2-4 mg/kg, PO, sid-bid (start low)
Nortriptyline	Capsule Solution	10, 25, 50, 75 mg 10 mg/5 mL	1-2 mg/kg, PO, bid
Oxazepam	Tablet Capsule	15 mg 10, 15, 30 mg	0.2-1.0 mg/kg, PO,sid-bid
Paroxetine	Tablet Suspension	10, 20, 30, 40 mg 10 mg/5 mL	1 mg/kg, PO, sid
Protriptyline	Tablet	5, 10 mg	5-10 mg/dog, PO,sid-bid (narcolepsy)
Selegiline^#**	Tablet^‡‡	5, 10, 15, 30 mg	0.5-1.0 mg/kg, PO, sid
Sertraline	Tablet	25, 50, 100 mg	1 mg/kg, PO, sid
Triazolam	Tablet	0.125, 0.5 mg	0.01-0.1 mg/kg, PO, bid

^*Most of these are unapproved uses, and caution is indicated.

^†1- and 2-mg tablets scored

^‡Not to exceed 4 mg/dog/day. Profound lethargy may occur at 0.75-4.0 mg/dog/day. Dosage may increase slowly over 4 mg/dog/day if obtaining some effect at a lower dosage. Small doses given every 2 hr minimize side effects.

^§Use high dose for thunderstorm phobia

^¶Also available as a powder for injection

^#Veterinary label for some conditions, depending on country

^**5-mg scored tablet available in Australia and Europe

^††Constant treatment is associated with slight increase in GI side effects; sid dosing is insufficient for the majority of animals, particularly those with multiple signs, early age onset, or long-standing signs.

^‡‡Profound lethargy and incoordination may result at dosages >4 mg/day, but higher dosages may be used incrementally if there has been some effect at a lower dosage. Start with 1-2 mg for a 25-kg dog.

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