This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.see our Disclosure Policy more details.
The pet dog is part of our family, spoiled with everyone’s love and attention, too spoiled to listen to anyone.
Dogs also have a habit of eating anything that is inedible or that they find unique or strange, and this can cause them a lot of trouble as well.
This habit can be very dangerous, as dogs sometimes snoop on drugs made for humans, which can harm dogs if ingested.
Some human medicines are very deadly if ingested by dogs and every precaution should be taken to prevent any type of dangerous accident.
In this article, we share information about what happens when dogs ingest Lexapro, its effects, and signs of toxicity in dogs.
Read on to learn about the steps to take after your dog is taking Lexapro, as well as the precautions to take to prevent this from happening.
Let’s first understand what Lexapro is and how it affects dogs.
Lexapro and Its Effects on Dogs
Lexapro is an antidepressant that many people use to treat mental and mood disorders.
It works by helping to restore the balance of a chemical in the brain called serotonin.
It makes you feel confident and boosts your energy levels. It is a prescription only drug, which means you need a doctor’s prescription to buy this drug.
Dogs are also given this medication, especially if they suffer from any type of anxiety (mainly separation anxiety).
But the dosage and procedure for dogs will be different than for humans, and lexapro can be harmful if a dog ingests human lexapro. It is best to contact a veterinarian and seek advice.
A veterinarian will perform extensive medical tests on your dog before prescribing Lexapro 10 mg. They will make sure that there are no internal abnormalities or allergies causing this anxiety or depression in the dog.
The Lexapro for dogs started to work after 4 weeks and as the 4 weeks started the drug kicked in to make the necessary changes in the dog’s brain. If Lexapro doesn’t work, the veterinarian may change the medication to Prozac or a similar drug.
Symptoms of Lexapro Toxicity in Dogs
The veterinarian will perform a full analysis of the dog’s physical and mental health, and after ruling out any physical problems with the dog, the veterinarian will take a look at its social and natural history, and then prescribe antidepressants only if needed.
Lexapro for dogs can be fatal if the dog ingests higher doses, as can Lexapro for dogs ingested by humans.
Symptoms of Lexapro poisoning or overdose in dogs are:
- Sedation: They can feel sedated and sleepy. This condition can escalate quickly, so contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Tremors and seizures: You may find that your dog is experiencing seizures and shaking. If this happens, calm them down, offer them fresh water and seek medical help when the seizures stop.
- loss of coordination: Your dog will become disoriented and lack coordination.They will have difficulty understanding commands and may even have trouble walking. Please hurry to the veterinarian and brief them about the incident.
- High blood pressure: Other symptoms of Lexapro toxicity include increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, and increased heart rate body temperature.
Steps to take when your dog is taking Lexapro 10mg
Pet poison helplines receive more than 50 percent of all calls for dog poisoning from human drugs in the United States. It is very important to take every precaution to prevent such incidents from happening.
If you are sure your dog has eaten 10 Lexapro capsules, it is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
Below are steps you can take to quickly diagnose and correct the injury immediately.
1. Keep calm
Keeping calm is the first thing you should do; calm your nerves and then move on to the plan. If you go into panic mode, your dog will start panicking too, which can make the situation worse.
2. Evaluate events
To keep yourself calm, start by assessing the situation and analyzing how much Lexapro your dog is consuming. Write down the amount the dog consumes and the time it takes.
Provide this note to the veterinarian at the time of diagnosis, it will help the veterinarian understand the toxicity.
3. Contact a veterinarian
If your dog exhibits any symptoms of Lexapro toxicity (see “Symptoms of Lexapro Toxicity or Overdose in Dogs” section above), contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
The veterinarian will instruct you on what to do, watch for any other signs of poisoning, or ask you to bring your dog in. Whatever they instruct you to do, write it down and follow the instructions exactly.
If they can’t make the call, try going to a veterinary clinic, and if that doesn’t work either, call the Pet Poison Helpline and get help.
4. Avoid Attempting Home Remedies
Most pet owners panic and try human medications or home remedies to ease their canine companion’s distress, which should be avoided.
In many cases of drug poisoning, home remedies not directed by a veterinarian can result in severe poisoning symptoms health problems.
Persons attempting to induce vomiting or any other home remedies are strictly prohibited. Inducing vomiting or any other calling should only be done by a veterinarian. Stay calm and wait for your veterinarian’s instructions to avoid any other health problems.
When to Consult Your Veterinarian?
When your dog exhibits erratic behavior, including loss of coordination, lethargy, increased heart rate, or increased blood pressure, they may be poisoned by taking Lexapro 10 mg.
Consult a veterinarian immediately. A veterinarian can determine several treatment options for your dog, depending on the dog’s condition and toxicity.
Some treatment options for Lexapro toxicity in dogs include:
1. Detoxification
Veterinarians will try to detoxify the effects of Lexapro with douches, charcoal, or enemas, which stimulate bowel movements and drive the toxicity out through the stool.
Induced vomiting is also an option to rid the body of any harmful chemicals, but should be done immediately by or under the supervision of a veterinarian, not on your own.
2. Drugs
Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate, which has the chemical formula NaHCO₃, can be used to treat acidosis. Veterinarians may also use diazepam and propranolol to control seizures and heart rate fluctuations.
Your veterinarian may also treat acidosis with sodium bicarbonate, propranolol for tremors and irregular heartbeats, and barbiturates or diazepam for seizures.
3. Supportive treatment
You may need to hospitalize your furry companion so they receive all supportive care such as fluids and medications for recovery and observation if the intoxication becomes too severe.
prevention skills
If you have read through all the information here, you probably already know how deadly ingesting Lexapro can be and how it can affect your dog’s health.
Even small doses can make puppies uncomfortable. It is very necessary to take precautions to prevent any incidents from happening.
Below are some specific steps you can follow to avoid any unexpected and threatening incidents.
1. Keep any medications out of reach of dogs
An essential step in preventing this type of incident is to keep the medication out of the dog’s reach.
Dogs like to snoop around and look for anything they think is weird or unique to eat, and this often gets them into trouble, especially drugs like Lexapro or Prozac, which can have big effects if taken without cue toxicity.
2. Disposal of clinical waste
A lot of people don’t check their pill boxes and just toss them carelessly in the corner. It is very important to dispose of it biologically; otherwise, if your dog or any other pet comes into contact with the leftovers, it could do a lot of harm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not only are they toxic, some medications can even be toxic to your dog. Lexapro is an antidepressant that is occasionally prescribed for pets, but overdose can cause neurological problems.
Any dose in excess of that prescribed by a medical professional is toxic and precautions should be taken.
Lexapro is known to treat anxiety in dogs, but if that doesn’t work, Prozac can be used as an alternative.
in conclusion
An emergency could occur if your dog accidentally eats Lexapro 10 mg. This article provides all known information about Lexapro and its effects on dogs, including symptoms of Lexapro toxicity in dogs.
Use this article as a guide to learn what you should do, preventive measures, and when to consult a veterinarian if your dog eats Lexapro 10 mg.
Until then, be safe and happy petting.
Dr. Lillian is a DVM with a passion for raising awareness about dogs. She shares her expertise through her blog at canineweekly.com and provides animal care services including internal medicine, dermatology, and urgent care. Dr. Lillian is dedicated to contributing to animal welfare.
