MDose · Veterinary drug reference
DIAZEPAM
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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
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Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications5
Status epilepticus/cluster seizures, anxiolytic, muscle relaxant, appetite stimulant (cat), preanesthetic
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Status epilepticus/cluster seizures, anxiolytic, muscle relaxant, appetite stimulant (cat), preanesthetic — Extra-label
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Status epilepticus/cluster seizures, anxiolytic, muscle relaxant, appetite stimulant (cat), preanesthetic — Extra-label
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Urine marking/anxiety, spraying, fast-acting anxiolytic
CatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Urine marking/anxiety, spraying, fast-acting anxiolytic — Extra-label
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Premedication/sedation (with ketamine); rabbit seizures
RabbitFerretExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Rabbit · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Premedication/sedation (with ketamine); rabbit seizures — Extra-label
- Ferret · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Premedication/sedation (with ketamine); rabbit seizures — Extra-label
- Rabbit · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens8
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects207
Sedation, ataxia — Most common
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Increased appetite, paradoxical CNS excitement — Especially at doses ≥0.8 mg/kg
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Idiosyncratic fatal hepatic necrosis — Not dose-dependent, onset 5–11 days into oral therapy
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Muscle fasciculations, weakness, ataxia; recumbency >0.2 mg/kg — Dose-related
HorseNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Horse · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Paradoxic excitement; rare liver hepatonecrosis reported in cats
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Table 1 (p.630), row: Diazepam, Adverse Effects column · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Manual
- Cat · Table 1 (p.630), row: Diazepam, Adverse Effects column · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Manual
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Seizure NOS197 reports
- Vomiting114 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')108 reports
- Death by euthanasia91 reports
- Death89 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS85 reports
- Anorexia70 reports
- Ataxia58 reports
- Behavioural disorder NOS51 reports
- Vocalisation51 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)49 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS48 reports
Cat
- Seizure NOS45 reports
- Death41 reports
- Death by euthanasia35 reports
- Behavioural disorder NOS34 reports
- Ataxia31 reports
- Anorexia29 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')28 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS27 reports
- Fever26 reports
- Vocalisation25 reports
- Not eating21 reports
- Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN)20 reports
Monitoring2
Cats: baseline liver function tests before starting oral therapy, repeat and discontinue immediately if anorexia/lethargy/vomiting/ataxia develops
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Sedation level, seizure control
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications3
Hypersensitivity; cats exposed to chlorpyrifos (potentiates OP toxicity); significant liver disease especially in cats
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Severe liver dysfunction, aggression
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Table 1 (p.630), row: Diazepam, Contraindications column · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Manual
- Cat · Table 1 (p.630), row: Diazepam, Contraindications column · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Manual
Precautions5
Coma/shock/significant respiratory depression; aggressive patients (may disinhibit aggression); working dogs
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Chronic oral use in cats carries a real risk of fatal idiopathic hepatic necrosis — many neurologists avoid diazepam maintenance therapy in cats altogether, preferring phenobarbital.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Give IV slowly (1–3 min) — rapid injection risks hypotension/cardiotoxicity from the propylene glycol vehicle, especially in small animals/neonates.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Tolerance develops with chronic dog use — not a good maintenance anticonvulsant; reserve for acute seizure emergencies.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Do not use for zolpidem/eszopiclone toxicosis (both increase GABA activity like diazepam) — use acepromazine, chlorpromazine, or phenobarbital instead.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions6
Azole antifungals (itraconazole, ketoconazole) — ↑ diazepam levels
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Cimetidine, omeprazole — ↓ diazepam metabolism, ↑ levels
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin — ↓ diazepam levels (enzyme induction)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dexamethasone — ↓ diazepam levels
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Erythromycin — ↓ benzodiazepine metabolism
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics5
Bioavailability — Rapid PO; rectal <10% alone but ~80% counting active metabolites (dog); ~80% intranasal (dog)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Protein binding — ~87% (horse); ~98–99% (human)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Half-life — <1h IV (dog); 3.5–5h IV (cat)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Hepatic — highly dependent on liver blood flow
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Elimination — Renal (as glucuronide conjugates)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Human FDA category D — teratogenic risk in first trimester; neonatal apnea/withdrawal reported with late-pregnancy human use. Papich canine/feline class C (use cautiously, last resort). Distributed into milk — CNS effects possible in nursing neonates.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 379–382; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 228–230 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references17
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Effective Dose 50 of Intranasal Lorazepam for Clinical Sedation in Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata).
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Sedative effects and stress-alleviating capabilities of four dietary plant-derived compounds on Procambarus clarkii.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- ZIF-67 functionalized magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes for magnetic solid-phase extraction of benzodiazepines in water samples.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Comparison of two doses of lidocaine constant rate infusion on cardiopulmonary function and recovery in isoflurane-anesthetized horses.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Subacute ivermectin-induced affective dysregulation: Evidence for hippocampal microglial and astrocytic activation.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Appendix: Drug Dosage Chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629-632.; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.