Side Effects of the Valium Appetite Stimulant in Cats

Although Valium (diazepam) is a human drug, veterinarians have found many ways to use it for cats. It can calm and sedate cats before anesthesia, treat seizure disorders, help with behavior modification and act as an appetite stimulant for cats who are not eating. For cats who are difficult to pill, it can be compounded into a flavored liquid or transdermal gel to rub inside an ear tip. While it is usually safe, Valium can sometimes have side effects in cats.

  1. Liver Failure

    • In rare cases, Valium can cause liver failure in cats. Depression, vomiting, lack of appetite and jaundice are all signs of liver failure.

    Drowsiness

    • Valium is a tranquilizer and can cause drowsiness, weakness, disorientation and loss of coordination. It can sometimes have the opposite effect and cause paradoxical excitement, aggression or unusual behavior.

    Addictive

    • Valium is addictive and can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and undesirable behavior if it is discontinued abruptly. Cats need to be weaned off the drug by gradually decreasing the dose.

    Birth Defects

    • Valium can cause birth defects in kittens and should not be used on cats in early pregnancy.

    Tranquilizes Kittens

    • Valium also crosses over into a nursing mother's milk and can tranquilize her kittens.

    Drug Interactions

    • Valium can have a stronger than expected effect if given with propranolol, cimetidine, erythromycin, barbiturates and narcotics. It may increase the effect of digoxin, a heart medication. It should not be used with ivermectin, a drug used to treat heart worm disease and ear mites in cats.

    Diabetic Cats

    • Urine dipsticks that measure glucose may return false negative results in cats taking Valium.