QUARTERLY BEAT
APRIL 2026
These medications should be tested prior to the actual stressful event. Dogs may have an adverse response to the medication, such as agitation or gastrointestinal (GI) upset that you do not want to discover at the time of the stressful event. Furthermore, it can be difficult to distinguish between an agitated response to a medication during a stressful event vs. a drug dose that was inadequate for that stressor, if prior testing was not performed. Testing ahead of time helps the owner observe any adverse effects and helps them determine which dose is appropriate for that dog. Dose does not necessarily relate to severity of issue. A highly aggressive dog may not require as high a dose for veterinary care as a very shy but not aggressive dog, depending on their individual response. This means you should generally start low-dose in trials and have the owner increase the dose at subsequent trials if they are not seeing a difference. Testing on a routine day gives the owner an idea of how the medication affects their baseline. If the dog shows minimal stress during the day, they can test the medication and drive to the parking lot of the vet clinic or go for a walk and see if the dog appears somewhat “subdued” or unbothered. Likewise, if multiple fast-acting medications are prescribed for a stressful event, they should ideally be trialed individually. This helps differentiate each drug’s effect. EXAMPLE: A 1-year-old male neutered German Shepherd shakes with fear during an annual veterinary exam and hides in the corner when it is time to collect blood. Talk with this owner about rescheduling a day to come back for lab work, so as to not relay to this pet that his polite attempts at avoiding interaction are useless. This can lead to a dog that will very likely “speak louder” the next time he is in a similar situation. Sileo® (dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel; Zoetis) may be a good option for this scared dog and help him avoid becoming a “sedate on the way in the door” dog a few years from now.
BLOG HIGHLIGHTS
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY IN CANINES Dr. Maggie O’Brian, DACVB Virtual Veterinary Behavior Medicine, Managing Partner Not sure when to reach for fast-acting vs. long-lasting behavior medications in dogs? This VETgirl article breaks down what to use before predictable stressors, how to bridge the gap before longer acting medications take effects, and how to avoid the dreaded sedation “see-saw.” Read on for common medication options, smart trialing tips, and when to loop in a behaviorist (spoiler alert: earlier is better!).
Introduction Treatment of significant behavioral disorders in dogs requires a robust plan. Medications often play an important role in this plan. We will discuss the two broad groups of medications to consider — short-acting medications (e.g., trazodone) and long-lasting medications (e.g., fluoxetine). We will also discuss additional considerations when prescribing medication for dogs. Fast-Acting Medications Fast-acting medication can be used in one of three ways: 1. as-needed use 2. bridging medication where you are initiating a long term medication or switching between long-lasting medications and need support during onboarding, or 3. long term use, typically in conjunction with a long-lasting medication. FAST-ACTING MEDICATION FOR AS-NEEDED USE Short-acting/fast-acting medications are commonly used in anticipation of a stressor, such as fireworks or veterinary care. In these cases, they are typically administered 30 minutes to 2 hours prior to the stressful event, depending on the medication. Their effects last anywhere from 2 to 12 hours.
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