Medication: Trazodone

Your dog has been prescribed trazodone for management of both ongoing (eg aggression, resource guarding, generalized anxiety) or anticipated anxiety (eg fireworks, thunderstorms, veterinary appointments). It should be used alongside a desensitizing behavior program to help control your pet’s anxiety. It may have been prescribed if your dog has recently had surgery and needs to be confined in a crate for the recovery period or will be housed in a high stress situation for a short period of time (eg boarding kennel). It is also prescribed prior to veterinary appointments for sedation and calming during transport and examination. 

Key points: 
• Serotonin receptor agonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI).  
• Do not use with MAO inhibitors eg Selegiline or Amitraz. 
• Decrease dosage by half for first 3 days when combining with tramadol. 
• Do not use in dogs with bleeding disorders. 
• Use with care in animals with epilepsy. 
• Use with care in animals with liver or kidney disease. 
• Use with care in animals with heart disease and avoid if cardiac arrhythmias. 
• Use with care in pregnant animals and lactating bitches as can enter the milk. 
• Use with care in dogs with certain types of glaucoma. 
• Dosage: usually used as needed just before known stressful situations. Can be given daily for use in anxiety.  
• If used long term do not stop suddenly - taper dose when stopping.