Overview

Antidepressant medications - including SSRIs like fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), and SNRIs like venlafaxine (Effexor) - are among the top ten pet toxins reported to poison control every year. Dogs commonly ingest these medications by chewing through pill bottles or eating dropped tablets. Antidepressant poisoning in pets can cause a dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome, which involves agitation, elevated body temperature, tremors, seizures, and cardiac abnormalities. Effexor (venlafaxine) is particularly attractive to cats, who seem drawn to the capsule coating.

Symptoms

Agitation, tremors, seizures, elevated heart rate, vomiting

Typical onset

1-6 hours

What to do

Seek emergency care. Serotonin syndrome can be life-threatening.