Why this medication may be prescribed
May be prescribed for ongoing fear, anxiety, excessive arousal, or repetitive behaviour. The reason depends on the individual assessment.
How it works
It slows the recycling of serotonin, a chemical messenger in the brain. Gradual changes in brain signalling can support emotional regulation and learning.
When should I expect an effect?
Improvement is gradual and may take several weeks. An early change does not necessarily represent the full benefit; assess progress at the follow-up interval in your treatment plan.
What improvement might look like
Depending on the treatment goal, improvement may mean less intense reactions, faster recovery, less avoidance, better rest or greater ability to respond to familiar cues. Complete disappearance of behaviour is not required to see progress.
Medication can reduce fear, anxiety, arousal, impulsivity, or other factors that interfere with learning. Behaviour modification and environmental management remain important parts of treatment.
Common side effects
Reduced appetite; mild vomiting or diarrhea; sleepiness or reduced activity.
Mild effects may be temporary. Persistent or pronounced changes should be discussed with the clinic; do not assume they are harmless.
When should I contact the clinic?
Contact the clinic for persistent vomiting or diarrhea, marked appetite loss, pronounced sedation, stumbling, weakness, unexpected worsening or significant new behaviour. Report difficulty passing urine promptly; inability to pass urine needs urgent veterinary assessment.
When is it an emergency?
What if I miss a dose?
Follow any missed-dose instructions supplied with your prescription. If none were provided, contact the clinic or your veterinarian for advice about the next dose. Do not double, repeat or make up a dose on your own.
What if I administered an extra dose?
Contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital immediately for case-specific advice, even if no signs are visible. Have the packaging and the amount and time given available for the veterinarian. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed. This website cannot determine a safe extra amount.
Can I stop this medication suddenly?
Regular treatment should not be stopped abruptly without veterinary advice. A gradual reduction may be needed.
Do not reduce or discontinue this medication without discussing it with your veterinarian.
Medication and supplement interactions
Other serotonin-affecting medicines, including tramadol and trazodone, need veterinary review. Selegiline has a particularly important interaction. Some combinations are deliberately prescribed and require supervision; do not alter an existing combination yourself.
Inform the clinic before adding a prescription, over-the-counter medicine, supplement, herbal product or calming product. This is not a complete interaction list.
What should I monitor?
- Appetite and food intake
- Sleep and daytime activity
- Intensity of reactions and recovery time
- Urination and new restlessness
Bring your observations to follow-up.
Educational information; effects vary between dogs, cats and individuals.