Thesis
Side Effects of a Commonly Used Antianxiety Medication Trazodone in Dogs, Primary Hemostasis and Arrhythmia: A single-blinded placebo-controlled crossover study
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
01/2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000004513
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/125516
Abstract
Background - Trazodone is a serotonin antagonist/reuptake inhibitor medication commonly used for anxiety in dogs. Therapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in humans has been associated with bleeding disorders, and increased arrhythmogenesis due to a prolongation in the QT interval of the ECG. The presence of these possible adverse effects has not been evaluated in dogs
Hypothesis/Objectives – Aims for this study included evaluating markers of primary hemostasis as well as changes in the corrected QT (cQT) interval in dogs before and after administration of standard dosages of oral trazodone and after receiving placebo (4 doses each). We hypothesized that trazodone administration would prolong markers of primary hemostasis and QT interval compared to placebo in healthy dogs.
Animals – Fifteen apparently healthy, client-owned dogs.
Methods – A single-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled crossover study was performed. Markers of primary hemostasis included buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT), platelet count, and platelet aggregation measured via Plateletworks and PFA-100 closure time. The cQT interval was measured. A Shapiro-Wilk test was performed followed by either a paired t-test or a Wilcoxon signed-rank test depending upon data normality.
Results – No significant difference was noted in the BMBT, PFA-100 closure times, platelet counts, and cQT interval post trazodone or placebo administration. However, using Plateletworks, a significant decrease in platelet aggregation was found post trazodone and not post placebo administration.
Conclusions– Standard dosages of trazodone were associated with a decrease in platelet aggregation via Platletworks in healthy dogs. Caution should be exercised when using trazodone in dogs with potential hemostasis concerns.
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Details
- Title
- Side Effects of a Commonly Used Antianxiety Medication Trazodone in Dogs, Primary Hemostasis and Arrhythmia
- Creators
- Eduardo J Benjamin Diaz
- Contributors
- Eduardo J Benjamin (Advisor)O Lynne Nelson (Committee Member)Ryan Baumwart (Committee Member)Jillian M Haines (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Veterinary Medicine, College of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 27
- Identifiers
- 99900877141201842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis