Librium is a brand name for the drug Chlordiazepoxide, which is prescribed as an anti-anxiety medication. It is also used to treat withdrawal symptoms in alcoholics. Librium is addictive and can cause severe withdrawal symptoms in its own right if the dosage is not slowly reduced over time. Librium has been used to treat anxiety in dogs as well and there are some effects and side effects for dog owners to be aware of.
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Heart
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Librium has been shown to positively affect and eliminate irregular heart rhythms in canines. These heartbeat irregularities were deemed to be the result of nervousness and high anxiety. Librium affected the dog's brains and prevented the release of the neuro-chemicals that caused the physical nervous response. Nervous dogs tend to have lower heart rates while healthy dogs have elevated heart rates. As a result of the Librium treatment, the dogs' heart rates all elevated to normal, healthy levels and no irregular beats were found while the drug was in effect. In high doses, Librium can cause cardiac arrest.
Intestinal
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Nervousness can cause the intestinal tract of dogs to spasm and result in them not having bowel control. Low dosage of Librium eliminated the spontaneous spasm of the intestinal tract and allowed for normal bowel function for the dogs tested. The drug affects the brain and not the intestine itself and relaxes the dog to where his muscles, including those in the intestine, can relax and not clench spontaneously.
Mood
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Librium can help calm anxious dogs and prevent anxiety-related actions such as fear-biting and urination. Dogs on Librium tend to be much more mellow and not as easily startled. Librium is frequently prescribed for dogs who have phobic attacks during thunderstorms and has been very effective. It also can help the dog sleep.
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