Alprazolam (Xanax) for dogs - Panic attack?

[Diana Erhart]

Does anyone have experience using Alprazolam (Xanax) for their dog's anxiety or panic attacks?  When we moved at the end of January the vet prescribed some for Charlie for the ride from Texas to PA.  I didn't use any of it at the time because he did just fine in the car.  But since we have gotten here his anxiety has become worse.  He seems to be getting some separation anxiety at times.  He always has been an anxious dog usually with loud noises, storms and the like.  But lately he has been howling sometimes when I would leave him (not always though).  This morning we had a house full of people and I left with my parents to take them to a doctor appointment.  Next my husband left and Charlie was sleeping in my daughter's room with her and her dog so DH shut the door to her room.  My daughter said when Charlie woke up and realized the door was shut he started screaming and howling and wouldn't stop even after she let him out of the room and went downstairs with him.  He wouldn't sit with her or let her hold him.  It was like he was having a panic attack.  After about an hour and a half of this she took both dogs outside and he calmed down then stopped howling when they came back inside.  I called the vet in Texas who prescribed the meds and decided to give him a dose for the next day or two and see how he does.  But I am worried about him and having him on this medicine.  

If you have any experience with this, do you have to give it to them for ever to keep them calm or will it be able to just help him over this "difficult" time he is having?  I am going out Monday to visit vets here in our new area to try to find one to check him out.  For this weekend I am trying to just get by with talking to our old vet over the phone.

Also, I had him checked out with some of the blood tests and basic thyroid tests before we left Texas because there is a history of Addison's disease in his lineage.  Could this added stress make him more prone to getting this?

We do belong to the anxiety group but none of my searches either in that group or here on the main forum seemed to address this.  Thanks for any help/guidance/advice anyone can give.  

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I don't have experience with dogs and Xanax, but I do have people experience - my own.  I've had problems with panic attacks in the past and have occasionally used Xanax.  It is NOT like an SSRI that is used long-term to regulate brain chemicals.  In fact, in people at least, Xanax is to be used only on an "as needed" basis and overuse can lead to addiction.  I've taken it during a panic episode and I've taken it just prior to an activity known to induce panic, e.g., flying.  Again, this is what I know regarding people, but it makes since that no animal should be on Xanax long term.  Hope this helps...

[F, Calla & Luca]

I do not have dog experience with alprazolam but lots of human experience. This would be what I describe as pocket medicine. It's good to have if someone is having a Panic Attack but it takes 15-30 minutes to work. So not ideal for a dog in a panic, if in fact you could get him to take it then. It is addictive and habituating so you need more of it if you use it very regularly. And it has a short half life so you get into a vicious cycle. For people it sometimes works because they can carry it with them and they feel less anxious knowing they have it if needed and therefore sometimes they don't even need it.  Again, not ideal for a dog. It might help if you could give this to Charlie if you knew he was about to be in a situation where he was likely to panic. The preferable treatment for Panic Attacks is an antidepressant, which can prevent the attacks but needs to be given regularly. The vets do prescribe antidepressants for dogs, Chlomipramine, brand name Clomacalm. Stress does not, in and of itself, produce Addison's disease. For this weekend you could use some of the alprazolam if needed and then talk to the new vet.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

My friends dog go into her purse and got the bottle with three Xanax in it and he ran a horrible fever and they had to take him to the vet and they soaked him in a bath of ice cubes :-(

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Diana,

My dog did not have panic attacks as you are describing but I did have a very anxious dog.   Here anxiety was ongoing and she was miserable with life in almost all aspects.   She also did not have Addison's Disease.

I'm writing because of my experience with anxiety medications.  If  you want to know more, I have posted my positive experiences with  Chlomipramine in the Anxiety Group here on DK.

Or if  you would like, I can just put a summary here, in this discussion. 

Our experiences with the medication were very positive.  Not a miracle medication but it really helped to make things much for manageable for all of us. Especially the poor dog.  I give it two thumbs up and would not hesitate to do it all over again if I had a dog that was feeling so badly.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Murphy was recently prescribed Xanax for use during storm season.  Last 4th of July he heard a really loud firework Boom and it scared him to death......then his fear of fireworks transferred to storms and now......well I joined the anxiety group yesterday and haven't even been able to post about our issues because I am just heartbroken for Murphy...but anyway, back to the topic.  It is my understanding from my vet that I am to give him the Xanax before a storm if I know it is coming and it is to be used on an as needed basis.   I have an appointment with a canine behaviorist at NC State on April 19 for Murphy's developing issues.  $500 per visit and 2 month waiting list.....I will post in anxiety group soon.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Ronna, run out and get a Thundershirt also.   Not a miracle cure either, but it certainly made a difference.  I was skeptical.  I never went and got one even though I heard good reviews.  Jane, Murphy and Guinness sent me theirs.  It worked well.

Today, with my foster, she panicked in the car.  I wrapped her up real tight in my arms and that too, worked.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Thank you Joanne...we have one.  It does seem to help with the storms but now his noise issue is transferring to noises I can't predict.  I also have D.A.P. diffusers in every room....sigh.  Foster???? I haven't been on DK much I didn't know you had a foster...she is lucky to have you :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Just looked up DAP diffusers. I'm leery of any of these diffuser devices because you are breathing in fumes, in this case pheromone like substances and paraffin oil. I can't imagine that is good. The company has this on it's website relating to fish and birds:

"

This will not affect the efficiency. However, the collar will not work whilst wet.

» Can I use an Adaptil Diffuser with a bird or aquarium?

The general rule of thumb is that if a bird can handle wax-based non-scented candles, there shouldn't be a problem (the diffuser is a wax-based paraffin oil, similar to a candle, and it is odorless). 

However, as some birds are known to have sensitive respiratory systems therefore it is recommended not to plug in the diffuser in the same room.

Similarly it is advised not to plug it in a room containing an aquarium."

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I'm afraid to use any type of plug in diffuser at all because I read a story a few years ago about how those glade plug-ins are fire hazards and how several people's homes caught on fire from just having them plugged in.

[F, Calla & Luca]

An needed is exactly how this medication should be used.

[Sue and Buddy]

My sweet Cody was a male, neutered Lab/Golden Retriever mix. In his senior years he developed  sever anxiety to thunder storms and fireworks. The vet prescribed Xanax. I was told to give him the drug when he was not having anxiety to see how it affected him and to help determine the dosage. When thunderstorms were predicted I would watch the radar on line, if they seemed to be coming my way I'd try to does him an hour before the storm. The drug really helped him deal with the storms. Once I was unable to dose him in time for a storm and he did OK without the drug. He got better dealing with the fireworks, also. He did not have to stay on the drug. It really helped him.

[Christine & Camus]

I know there are mixed reviews regarding pheromone collars, however my experience with the Sergeant's collar. Camus is mildly anxious and also has mild separation anxiety, the collar does seem to help.