Introduction
Situational medications or, short acting medications, are often used in conjunction with Daily Medications or over the counter supplements. They are most commonly used to help manage the pet's distress when put in predictable, but also particularly challenging, situations. Some examples would be veterinary visits or grooming, travel, social gatherings, etc. The product is typically given 1-2 hours prior to exposure with the hope that it will further reduce the pet's emotional arousal when in the presence of these triggers. Always try new medications at home where you can monitor their response before using in a stressful event.
Despite the name, these products can also be given on a daily basis. This might be the case if we need more immediate relief while waiting for a daily medication to take effect or if the maximum dose of their daily medication isn't providing enough relief. When using short acting medications in this way, your provider will often give a dose range. It is best to start at the low end of the dosage and gradually increase every 2-3 days until one of three things happens:
That dose effectively manages the pet's daily distress.
Intolerable, adverse reactions occur, such as vomiting or lethargy.
The pet is taking the highest end of the dose range.
If you reach the maximum dosage and see little to no effect, contact your provider and discuss options with them.
Depending on the severity of a pet's emotional disorder, they may require 3-4 different products every single day to manage their symptoms. It is here that we emphasize quality over quantity. It isn't about how many pills or different products a patient is taking, its how they respond and seem to feel to those products that matters. The same products that keep a 2 year old, hyperaroused Labrador from destroying his house might knock out a normal dog of similar size. We use medication in pets that have serious medical, emotional problems - they need these products to function normally.
Jump to Your Medication
Clonidine
(CLONN-ih-deen)
Clonidine was originally developed to treat high blood pressure in humans. Only at extremely high doses will it have this effect on dogs.
This product is often used as a first line of situational medication. It works by blocking the chemical effects of the “fight or flight response.” It is highly effective for a wide variety of behavior conditions.
This product typically lasts 6-8 hours.
Comes in 0.1mg, 0.2mg, and 0.3mg tablets. Dispensed by human pharmacies. Use GoodRx.com to find the best prices.
Gabapentin
(GABB-uh-penn-tihn)
Gabapentin is generic Neurontin. It is often used to treat pain, seizures, and anxiety disorders. It works by “calming” the entire central nervous system.
For many dogs, it is not a potent, intense situational medication. However, herding breed dogs and cats tend to respond particularly well to this product.
Side effects are uncommon but include nausea or irritability.
This product typically lasts 6-12 hours.
In Virginia, this is a Schedule V controlled substance. Dispensed by human pharmacies as 100mg, 300mg, or 400mg capsules; 600mg or 800mg tablets; and as 50mg/mL liquid. Can also be compounded into specific doses or formulations.
Trazodone
(TRAZZ-uh-dohn)
Trazodone is the most commonly prescribed situational medication in primary care veterinary clinics. It functions by targeting serotonin but does also have some secondary effects on dopamine and norepinephrine.
Unlike other situational medications, if given consistently, trazodone does have a “loading effect” similar to medications like Prozac.
This product is often indicated for pets that require some level of sedation alongside their stress management. This may be the case for veterinary visits, separation anxiety management, and/or following invasive surgical procedures.
Side effects include lethargy, nausea, stumbling, soft stool, etc.
This product typically lasts 8-12 hours.
Comes in 50mg, 100mg, and 150mg tablets. It is carried by most veterinary clinics but also available for pick up at human pharmacies. Use GoodRx.com to find the best prices.
Alprazolam
(Æll-prazz-uh-lamm)
Alprazolam, or generic Xanax, is a benzodiazepine, similar to Ativan or Valium. It works by increasing levels of GABA, the brain’s primary calming chemical. It can be highly effective for panic disorders, prevention of PTSD, and for highly fearful/inhibited pets. It does, however, have a higher risk of paradoxical reactions such as agitation and excitability.
Side effects include sleepiness, agitation, irritability, increased appetite, and nausea.
This product lasts 8-12 hours in dogs and cats.
This is a Schedule IV controlled substance. It comes in 0.5mg, 1mg, and 2mg tablets. Dispensed by human pharmacies. Use GoodRx.com to find the best prices.
Lorazepam
(lohr-AZZ-uh-pamm)
Lorazepam, or generic Ativan, is a benzodiazepine, similar to Xanax or Valium. While paradoxical agitation is not uncommon with this class of drug, lorazepam seems to be the least likely to cause it. Lorazepam works by increasing levels of GABA, the brain’s primary calming chemical. It can be highly effective for panic disorders, prevention of PTSD, and for highly fearful/inhibited pets.
Side effects include sleepiness, agitation, irritability, increased appetite, and nausea.
This product lasts 8-12 hours in dogs and cats.
Dose: 0.02 – 0.2 mg/kg
This is a Schedule IV controlled substance. It comes in 0.5mg, 1mg, and 2mg tablets. Dispensed by human pharmacies. Use GoodRx.com to find the best prices.
Sileo
(SEE-lee-oh)
Sileo is transmucosal dexmedetomidine. It is FDA approved for noise and storm phobias.
Dexmedetomidine is a commonly used sedative and anxiolytic. It functions by targeting the “fight or flight” response. Due to absorption through the gums versus the intestines, it requires less time to take effect, and can bypass some of the circulating stress chemicals that may already be present.
This product typically lasts 1-2 hours.
Sileo Gel comes in a 3mL syringe. Dispensed by veterinary pharmacies such as Chewy.com.
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