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Drug Dosages for Behavioral Therapy in Dogs and Cats

Drug Dosages for Behavioral Therapy in Dogs and Cats

Drug

Dog Dosage

Cat Dosage

Tranquilizer

Acepromazine

0.5–2 mg/kg, prna to tid

0.5–2 mg/kg, prn

Benzodiazepines

Alprazolam

0.01–0.1 mg/kg, prn to qid

0.125–0.25 mg/cat, prn to tid

Clonazepam

0.1–1 mg/kg, bid-tid

0.05–0.2 mg/kg, one to three times/day

Clorazepate

0.5–2 mg/kg, prn to tid

0.2–1 mg/kg, one to two times/day

Diazepam

0.5–2 mg/kg, prn (eg, every 4–6 hr)

0.2–1 mg/kg, prn to tidb

Lorazepam

0.025–0.2 mg/kg/day to prn

0.025–0.08 mg/kg, one to two times/day

Oxazepam

0.2–1 mg/kg, one to two times/day

0.2–0.5 mg/kg, one to two times/day

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Amitriptyline

1–4 mg/kg, bid

0.5–2 mg/kg/day

Clomipramine

1–3 mg/kg, bidc

0.25–1 mg/kg/dayc

Doxepin

3–5 mg/kg, bid-tid

0.5–1 mg/kg, one to two times/day

Imipramine

1–4 mg/kg, one to two times/day

0.5–1 mg/kg, one to two times/day

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Fluoxetine

1–3 mg/kg/dayc

0.5–1.5 mg/kg/day

Fluvoxamine

1–2 mg/kg, one to two times/day

0.25–0.5 mg/kg/day

Paroxetine

0.5–2 mg/kg/day

0.25–1 mg/kg/day

Sertraline

1–3 mg/kg/day or divided bid

0.5–1.5 mg/kg/day

β-Blocker

Propranolol

0.2–3 mg/kg, prn to bid

0.2–1 mg/kg, tid

α2-Agonist

Clonidine

0.01–0.05 mg/kg, prn to bid

Azapirone

Buspirone

0.5–2 mg/kg, one to three times/day

0.5–1 mg/kg, one to three times/day

Serotonin Antagonist Reuptake Inhibitor

Trazodone

3–8 mg/kg, prn to tid

Anticonvulsants

Carbamazepine

4–8 mg/kg, bid-tid

2–6 mg/kg, one to two times/day

Gabapentin

5–30 mg/kg, bid-tid

3–10 mg/kg, bid-tid

Levetiracetam

20 mg/kg, tid

10–20 mg/kg, tid

Phenobarbitald

2–5 mg/kg, bid (to 10 mg/kg, prn for sedation)

1–3 mg/kg, bid

Potassium bromided

10–40 mg/kg/day, or divided bid

Not recommended

Glial Modulator

Propentofyllinee

2.5–5 mg/kg, bid

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor

Selegilinec,e

0.5–1 mg/kg/day (in morning)

0.5–1 mg/kg/day (in morning)

a prn = as needed

b Rare reports of hepatic necrosis with diazepam in cats and potentially with other benzodiazepines

c Licensed and labeled for veterinary behavior use in some countries

d Titrate upward if inadequate clinical improvement and serum levels not adequate

e Licensed and labeled for cognitive dysfunction in some countries