Benzodiazepines, Ambien and similar sleep aids can cause severe sedation or paradoxical agitation in dogs.
Includes Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Ambien and Lunesta.
Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs enhance GABA neurotransmission, causing CNS depression. Many dogs become heavily sedated; a subset paradoxically become severely agitated. Respiratory depression and dangerously low blood pressure can develop with larger doses.
Sources
Effects can be seen with single human therapeutic doses, especially in small dogs. Flumazenil reversal is available for benzodiazepines.
Contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal poison hotline immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a vet.
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