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Buspirone

BuSpar

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Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Drug Class

Behavioral

Routes

PO

Indications

fear-based aggressionGeneralized anxietyUrine spraying/marking

Mechanism of Action

Partial agonist at serotonin 5-HT1A receptors. Anxiolytic without sedation, muscle relaxation, or anticonvulsant effects.

Side effects & warnings

Takes 1-2 weeks for full effect. No sedation (unlike benzodiazepines). Not effective for acute anxiety/panic. Used for urine marking in cats, generalized anxiety in dogs. May increase aggression in some cats.

Species with Buspirone dosing data (2 dose rules)

Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)

Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Moderate×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by a published source

  • · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Sample dosing (2 of 2 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

SpeciesRouteDoseFrequencyEvidenceSource
Dog (Domestic)PO0.5–2 mg/kgq12hModeratePlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Cat (Domestic)PO0.5–1 mg/kgq12hModeratePlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

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