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Antidepressant Poisoning
Veterinary reviewed by: Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS

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
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)
Top
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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
Top
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
1 found helpful
1 found helpful
Has 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
Owner

Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
1 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 experience helpful?
Pug
Twelve Years
4 found helpful
4 found helpful
Has 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
Owner

Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
4 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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Antidepressant Poisoning Average Cost
From 77 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000
Average Cost
$650
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