Doses - DIAZEPAM

Dogs:

As a restraining agent/sedative:
a) 0.2 - 0.6 mg/kg IV (Morgan 1988)
b) 0.25 mg/kg PO q8h (Davis 1985a)
For treatment of seizures:
a) 1 - 4 mg/kg divided into 3-4 doses daily (Morgan 1988)
b) For adjunctive treatment of seizure disorders: 2.5 - 15 mg tid (Bunch 1986)
For status epilepticus:
a) 0.5 - 1.0 mg/kg IV in increments of 5 - 10 mg, to effect (Morgan 1988)
b) Up to 10 mg IV; not more than 3 doses (Kay and Aucoin 1985)
c) For post-myelographic seizures: 0.4 mg/kg IV (slowly); if no effect use phenobarbital or pentobarbital (Walter, Feeney, and Johnston 1986)
d) For metaldehyde, strychnine or brucine induced seizures/tremors: 2 - 5 mg/kg IV (Bailey 1986a)
e) For methylxanthine (e.g., theophylline) induced seizures: 0.5 - 2.0 mg/kg IV (if unsuccessful use phenobarbital at 6 mg/kg IV q6-12h) (Hooser and Beasley 1986)
f) For salicylate toxicity induced seizures: 2.5 - 20 mg IV or PO (Handagama 1986)
g) Seizures secondary to CNS trauma: 0.25 - 0.5 mg/kg IV (Fenner 1986)
For white shaker dog syndrome:
a) 0.25 mg/kg PO tid-qid (Morgan 1988)
For Scotty cramp:
a) 0.5 - 2.0 mg/kg IV to effect or PO tid (Morgan 1988)
As a preanesthetic:
a) 0.1 mg/kg IV slowly (Morgan 1988)
For irritable colon syndrome:
a) 0.15 mg/kg PO tid (Morgan 1988)
For functional urethral obstruction/urethral sphincter hypertonus:
a) 2 - 10 mg q8h (Polzin and Osborne 1985)
b) 2 - 10 mg PO tid; 0.5 mg/kg IV (Chew, DiBartola, and Fenner 1986)
For separation anxiety:
a) 0.5 - 2.2 mg/kg PO prn (Morgan 1988)

Cats:

As an appetite stimulant:
a) 0.05 - 0.15 mg/kg IV once daily to every other day or 1 mg PO once daily (Morgan 1988)
b) 0.05 - 0.4 mg/kg IV, IM or PO. After IV administration eating may begin a few seconds; have food readily available. (Booth 1988a)
Status epilepticus:
a) 0.5 - 1.0 mg/kg IV in increments of 5 - 10 mg, to effect (Morgan 1988)
Urine marking and anxiety:
a) 1 - 2 mg PO bid (Morgan 1988)
For salicylate toxicity induced seizures:
a) 2.5 - 5 mg IV or PO (Handagama 1986)
For adjunctive treatment of feline psychogenic alopecia and dermatitis:
a) 1 - 2 mg PO bid (Walton 1986)
For treatment of seizure disorders:
a) 2.5 - 5 mg tid (Bunch 1986)
b) 1 - 4 mg/kg divided into 3-4 doses daily (Morgan 1988)
c) 0.5 - 1.0 mg/kg PO daily (Schwartz-Porsche 1986)
Functional urethral obstruction/urethral sphincter hypertonus:
a) 2 - 5 mg PO tid; 0.5 mg/kg IV (Chew, DiBartola, and Fenner 1986)

Cattle:

Sedative in calves:
a) 0.4 mg/kg IV (Booth 1988a)
As a tranquilizer:
a) 0.55 - 1.1 mg/kg IM (Lumb and Jones 1984)
Treatment of CNS hyperactivity and seizures:
a) 0.5 - 1.5 mg/kg IM or IV (Bailey 1986b)

Rabbits:

As a tranquilizer (to increase relaxation of lightly anesthetized animals and permit ET intubation): 1 mg/kg IV prn (Huerkamp 1995)

Horses:

For seizures:
a) Foals:0.05 - 0.4 mg/kg IV; repeat in 30 minutes if necessary;
Adults: 25 - 50 mg IV; repeat in 30 minutes if necessary. (Sweeney and Hansen 1987)
Treatment of seizures secondary to intraarterial injection of xylazine or other similar agents:
a) 0.10 - 0.15 mg/kg IV (Thurmon and Benson 1987)
As an appetite stimulant:
a) 0.02 mg/kg IV; immediately after dosing offer animal food. Keep loud noises anddistractions to a minimum. If effective, usually only 2-3 treatments in a 24-48 hourperiod is required. (Ralston 1987)

Swine:

For tranquilization:
a) 5.5 mg/kg IM (will develop posterior ataxia in 5 minutes and then recumbency within 10 minutes) (Booth 1988a)
b) 0.55 - 1.1 mg/kg IM (Lumb and Jones 1984)
For sedation prior to pentobarbital anesthesia:
a) 8.5 mg/kg IM (maximized at 30 minutes; reduces pentobarbital dose by 50%) (Booth 1988a)
For treatment of CNS hyperactivity and seizures:
a) 0.5 - 1.5 mg/kg IM or IV (Howard 1986)

Sheep:

As a tranquilizer:
a) 0.55 - 1.1 mg/kg IM (Lumb and Jones 1984)
Goats:
For Bermuda grass induced toxicosis and tremors:
a) 0.8 mg/kg IV (Booth 1988a)
To stimulate appetite:
a) 0.04 mg/kg IV; offer food immediately, duration of effect may last up to 45 minutes. (Booth 1988a)
Monitoring Parameters - Horses should be observed carefully after receiving this drug.
Client Information - Keep out of reach of children and in tightly closed containers.
Dosage Forms/Preparations/FDA Approval Status/Withholding Times - Veterinary-Approved Products: None

Human-Approved Products:

Diazepam oral tablets 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg; Valium® (Roche); Generic; (Rx)Diazepam timed-release oral capsules 15 mg; Valrelease® (Roche); (Rx)
Diazepam oral solution 1 mg/ml in 500 ml containers and unit-dose (5 & 10 mg) 5 mg/ml in 30ml dropper bottle; Diazepam Intensol® (Roxane); Generic (Rx)
Diazepam Injection 5 mg/ml in 2 ml amps & syringes & 1, 2, 10 ml vials, 2 ml Tel-E-Ject;
Emulsified Injection: 5 mg/ml in 3 ml vials; Valium® (Roche); Zetran® (Hauck);Dizac®(Ohmeda); Generic; (Rx)
Diazepam is a Class-IV controlled substance.