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Antidepressant Poisoning
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 06/15/2016Updated: 07/15/2022
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
What is Antidepressant Poisoning?
One of the top 10 poisonings in dogs is caused by antidepressant medicines, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclics (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and novel antidepressants.
While there are many different kinds of antidepressants, they are all toxic to your dog if too much is ingested. Tricyclic antidepressants are potentially the most dangerous because they can affect the heart and central nervous system within minutes, and can be fatal if not treated right away, depending on the amount ingested and size of the dog. Cardiac arrhythmia, tachycardia, and bradycardia are common and have to be addressed as soon as possible after ingestion or it can be fatal. It is true that veterinarians sometimes prescribe antidepressants to dogs for certain conditions, but even with small doses, side effects can always occur.
Antidepressant Poisoning Average Cost
From 77 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000
Average Cost
$650
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Symptoms of Antidepressant Poisoning in Dogs
Although antidepressant poisonings share many symptoms, they each have some unique symptoms that should be noted. This may help in determining which medication your dog has ingested if it is unknown. The symptoms can be separated by the type, or may be just general symptoms if the medication type is unknown:
General
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Agitation
- Inability to urinate
- Bluish tinge to skin and mucous membranes
- Coma
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Dangerously low body temperature
- Depressed breathing
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Dilated pupils
- Fever
- High blood pressure
- Involuntary rhythmic movement of the eyes
- Lack of coordination
- Lethargy
- Low blood pressure
- Metabolic abnormalities
- Nausea
- Seizures
- Sudden muscular contractions
- Vomiting
SSRI
- Ataxia
- Extreme weakness
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
- Tachycardia
- Tremors
- Vomiting
TCA
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Aggression
- Anxiety
- Death
- Depression
- Disorientation
- Dyspnea
- Low blood pressure
- Lethargy
- Dilated pupils
- Pulmonary edema
- Rash
- Seizures
- Swelling of the tongue
- Tachycardia
- Tremors
- Hives
- Vasodilation
- Vocalizing
- Vomiting
- Weakness
MAOI
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Coma
- Depression
- Fever
- High or low blood pressure
- Respiratory depression
- Restlessness
- Seizures
- Shock
- Tachycardia
Novel
- Seizures
- Tremors
Types
There are many types of antidepressant medications with different names, but the most common are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclics (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
SSRI
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- Nefazodone (Serzone)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Trazodone (Desyrel)
TCA
- Amitriptyline (Elavil)
- Clomipramine (Anafranil)
- Desipramine (Norpramin)
- Doxepin (Sinequan)
- Imipramine (Tofranil)
- Nortriptyline (Pamelor, Aventyl)
- Protriptyline (Vivactil)
- Trimipramine (Surmontil)
MAOI
- Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- Phenelzine (Nardil)
- Selegiline (Emsam)
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Novel
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Maprotiline (Ludiomil)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)
Causes of Antidepressant Poisoning in Dogs
The causes of antidepressant poisoning usually includes one of these three things:
- Accidental ingestion (dog eating human’s medication)
- Giving too much medication (accidental double dosage or failure to follow proper instruction)
- Side effect of medication (rare)
Diagnosis of Antidepressant Poisoning in Dogs
Before examining your dog for diagnosis, your veterinarian will make sure they are stable.
Depending on how long ago the antidepressant was ingested, your veterinarian may first treat your dog by trying to induce vomiting, and will use activated charcoal, which is effective even several hours after ingestion. Gastric lavage or enema will also be tried if necessary. The main thing is to remove the toxic chemicals from your dog’s system in any way possible. The veterinary team may go ahead and admit your dog to the hospital to provide IV fluids, medication, and observation.
During the examination, your veterinarian will check your dog’s heart rate, body temperature, respiration, and reflexes. It is important for you to give your veterinarian as much information as you have on your dog’s medical history, including vaccinations, recent illness or injury, and what kind of medicine you believe was ingested.
Your veterinarian will do some blood tests, such as a blood chemistry panel, blood gas analysis, and complete blood count (CBC). In addition, a urinalysis will help your veterinarian check that the kidneys are functioning properly. Your veterinarian will perform an EKG to monitor your dog’s heart rate and rhythm, and they may do an echocardiogram to see if the heart is pumping normally.
Treatment of Antidepressant Poisoning in Dogs
The recommended treatments for toxicity of any of these antidepressantscan include several things.
Detoxification
Inducing vomiting as soon as possible after ingestion of the drug, activated charcoal, lavage, and an enema to promote bowel movement. This will get rid of the chemicals in the body if done early enough.
Medications
Your veterinarian may also use sodium bicarbonate for acidosis, barbiturates or diazepam for seizures, and propranolol for tremors and irregular heart rate.
Supportive care
Depending on the severity of the poisoning, your dog will probably need to stay in the hospital for a minimum of 24 hours for observation. Fluids and any other supportive care as needed will be administered to help your dog recover.
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Recovery of Antidepressant Poisoning in Dogs
Once you get home, make sure to find a place to store medications that your dog cannot get access to. In most cases, your dog will be fine within 24 to 48 hours after the drug wears off, but continue any medication that your veterinarian has given you, and be sure to call your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.
Got more questions about antidepressants poisoning in dogs? Chat with a vet professional today to get answers.
Cost of Antidepressant Poisoning
The cost of treating antidepressants poisoning can vary depending on how serious the condition is. A vet visit to induce vomiting typically costs between $300 and $500, while a short hospitalization can be anywhere from $600 to $2,000.
Antidepressant Poisoning Average Cost
From 77 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000
Average Cost
$650
Top
Antidepressant Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
lab pit mix
Two Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
My 60lbs dog ate approximately 75 mg of Wellbutrin and I don't have peroxide to make him throw up. Will he be okay?
Jan. 8, 2021
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
0 Recommendations
This is not a medicine used for dogs and there is extremely limited information available.
You could call the poisons hotline (888) 426-4435.
Alternatively you could bring your dog to the local emergency clinic and they will be able to make him sick there.
Jan. 8, 2021
Was this question and answer helpful?
Pug
Twelve Years
8 found this helpful
8 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
My pug (20lbs) accidentally ate a 20mg fluexotine that my other dog takes daily. It dropped and my pug ate it.
Nov. 23, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
8 Recommendations
We use this medicine at a dose of up to 2mg/kg so as long as the Pug is 10kg or more we wouldn't expect an issue.
Temporary lethargy and nausea may occur.
If there has been an overdose, an immediate vet visit is advised in case we need to induce vomiting.
Nov. 23, 2020
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Pit Bull
Six Months
8 found this helpful
8 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hot
My dog is 50 lbs and ingested 2 - 40 mg Citalopram pills of mine but accident, yesterday. He is 6 months old, and has been acting fine until he felt hot to the touch all over his body tonight. His nose is also dry and warm, but he is sleeping.
Oct. 23, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
8 Recommendations
With any accidental ingestion of medicine like this it is always best to contact your dog's vet right away as they know their medical history and would have access to the poisons helpline, so could assess if this is a dangerous dose or not.
There is little information available Re the safe levels of Citalopram in dogs as it is not a medicine used in veterinary medicine. One study showed that dogs can have bloodwork changes and changes in the heart beat at a dose of 20mg/kg.
Your dog ingested around 4mg/kg which is a much lower dose.
While it is good they are not showing any signs, a check over would be sensible given the limited information we have on this drug.
Oct. 23, 2020
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Toy Poodle
9 months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
My dog ate 37.5 mg of Zoloft (low dose for humans).
Sept. 29, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Without knowing how much your dog weighs, it isn't possible for me to say whether you have anything to worry about The best thing to do would be to call either a 24 hour veterinary clinic in your area and give them that information, or a Pet Poison Control hotline. They will be able to let you know if you have a problem, or if things should be okay.
I hope that all goes well with your puppy.
Sept. 30, 2020
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Boxer Shepherd
Nine Months
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
I think our puppy may have ate a cetelopram
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
I hope that your puppy is okay, and that you were able to get veterinary care if needed. For future reference, if you think your puppy has a toxicity of some kind, it is okay to call your nearest 24 hours veterinary clinic and give them the details of the situation. Any ER clinic will be able to guide you as to whether any action needs to be taken.
Oct. 8, 2020
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hound mix
Sheldon
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hyperactivity
I discovered a pill bottle on the floor, the top completely chewed off. The pills were 40 mg and only three remained in the bottle. I asked the user of the pills, and they can not remember the remaining number, only that very few remained in the bottle. We’ve been monitoring the situation with our hound mix (60 lbs) and trying to get a sense of his condition. I discovered the bottle around 7 am eastern time today.
Boxer
Zoe
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
I have an 2.5 year, 85lb Boxer named Zoe. I had dropped a bottle of 225 mg Venlafaxine ER. I thought I got all of them up but I found one just partially chewed up, probably less than half and I've counted the amount in the bottle and must have missed just one. She currently doesn't have any symptoms but I am concerned.
Fox Terrier
Franco
13 Weeks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
No
Hi my dog got a hold of my sertraline I am pretty sure he never swallowed any but can't be 100 perfect. If so would onky be 1.50ml he is only 13 weeks should I phone the vet.
German Shorthaired Pointer
Knox
18 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Rapid Breathing
I had dropped a couple of my 150mg er Wellbutrin (dropped the bottle in my living room) I thought I picked up all I could find, and also vacuumed the area (I thought very carefully to make sure nothing was in my carpet) couple days later my 65 pound German short hair pointer found a couple in the carpet. My boyfriend was able to get them away from him but believed he was able to swallow one.. (took one and a half pill away) he didn’t show any symptoms the first day. Day two seems to be breathing more rapid when he should be at rest. (He did play hard outside but seemed like his breathing never slowed down) he has had diarrhea For the last week and I thought it was from his food ( recently switched kinds but not brands) he also had been eating grass the days prior. His diarrhea hasn’t changed since eating the pills. He is still eating like normal also drinking water like he should. Should I be concerned? Should I take him to the vet?
Border Terrier
Luke
11 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
My border terrier mix, 11 months old, who weighs 27 lbs, ate a Lexapro 10 mg tablet. He is not showing any signs or symptoms of poisoning. Poison control was not overly concerned and told us to monitor mostly grogginess and nausea/vomiting. Should he see a vet immediately or monitor for other side effects and what?
Antidepressant Poisoning Average Cost
From 77 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000
Average Cost
$650
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
