Stop-stress for dogs

Stop-Stress is a combination sedative used to relieve stress and reduce hyperactivity in dogs. It can be used to treat and prevent nervous system disorders. Consult a veterinarian before use.

Composition and release form

Stop-Stress for dogs is available in drops and tablet form. This combination sedative is manufactured by the domestic manufacturer Api-San, which has already earned a positive reputation in the market. The composition of the medication varies depending on the pharmaceutical form.

Pills

The basis of the medication is a combination of phenibut and medicinal herbal extracts:

• hops;
• peony;
• motherwort;
• Baikal skullcap.

This ensures the product's high effectiveness. The active ingredients act synergistically on the animal's body and enhance each other's effects. The formula also includes auxiliary components that give the tablets a pleasant sweet taste and perform other functions. These include:

• cyclamate;
• lactose;
• aspartame;
• saccharin;
• calcium stearate;
• carboxymethylcellulose.

Depending on the intended use, tablets come in two strengths: 200 and 500 mg for small and large pets. They are typically packaged in jars (plastic or glass) with plastic lids.

Drops

One of the main active ingredients in the oral drops, as in the tablets, is phenibut. It is supplemented with herbal extracts. They are virtually identical to the tablets, except that the peony extract is replaced with catnip. The additional ingredients include:

• glycerol;
• aspasvit;
• purified water.

The drops are packaged in glass or polymer bottles fitted with special dropper caps. These caps make it much easier to measure out the correct amount of medication for your pet.

Pharmacological properties

The high effectiveness of the drug is achieved through the complex action of active substances:

• Phenibut is often used in the production of sedativesIt normalizes metabolic processes and improves blood circulation in the brain. It regulates inhibition and excitation processes, and medicinal extracts provide phenibut's gentle effect on the body and have sedative properties.
• Hop cones have a pronounced calming effect on the nervous system. They also have anti-inflammatory, hypnotic, and analgesic properties.
• Motherwort helps reduce nervous system excitability. It also has a positive effect on cardiac function: it increases the force of heart contractions but slows the heart rate. It has antispasmodic and hypotensive properties.
• Skullcap improves sleep, has a positive effect on the nervous system, and helps relieve excessive excitability, as it has strong sedative properties.
• Peony is distinguished by its rich composition. It contains phenols, amino acids, tannins, and other beneficial components. Due to this, it boosts the body's immunity and has anticonvulsant and antispasmodic properties.
• Catnip is included in almost all sedatives, including those produced for humans, as it has a positive effect on the central nervous system, helps relieve tension, and improves sleep.

Stop-stress has the following effect:

• calms the nervous system;
• increases adaptation;
• promotes resistance to adverse environmental conditions;
• relieves fear and stress;
• improves sleep;
• starts regeneration.

Indications for use

Stop-stress is used to reduce excitability in dogs and correct behavior in cases of severe fear, stress, and unreasonable aggression.

The medication is prescribed for excessive sexual arousal, but only in combination with contraceptives. It is also well-suited for prophylaxis. It is given in cases of stressful situations:

• exhibitions and visiting crowded places;
• staying in places with large concentrations of animals;
• transportation;
• a trip to the veterinary clinic;
• moving;
• the appearance of a new pet or child in the house;
• arrival of guests.

The use of the drug allows the animal to more easily endure any unusual event without consequences.

Symptoms of stress

Stress can manifest itself differently in different dogs. Depending on the situation, a pet may exhibit apathy or, conversely, excessive excitability. Symptoms of stress depend on the triggering factor, the owner's response, and the pet's personality.

When overexcited, a dog most often performs the following actions:

• eats food quickly;
• chews on inedible things;
• cuts circles around the house or apartment;
• digs holes, including non-existent ones;
• makes unnatural barking or strange frightening sounds;
• moves chaotically around the house.

With apathy the following phenomena are observed:

• the animal lies down a lot when it is not sleeping;
• excessive salivation;
• refusal to eat or poor appetite;
• reluctance to play favorite games or favorite toys;
• poor sleep;
• slight tremor.

If you notice signs of stress in your dog, treatment should begin immediately. Stop-Stress, occupational therapy, and positive emotions are all effective, but consult with your vet first.

Instructions for use

The dosage depends on whether tablets or drops are used.

Pills

According to the instructions, Stop-Stress tablets should be administered to your dog either force-fed or mixed with food. The dosage is calculated based on the animal's weight. Smaller tablets are given to pets in the following doses:

• up to 5 kg – 0.25 pcs.;
• 5-10 kg – 0.25-0.5 pcs.;
• 10-20 kg – 0.5-1 pc.;
• 20-30 kg – 1-1.5 pcs.;
• 30-40 kg – 1.5-2 pcs.

When using 500 mg tablets, the dose should be calculated as follows:

• 20-30 kg – 0.25-0.5 pcs.;
• 30-40 kg – 0.5-1 pc.;
• 40-50 – 1-1.5 pcs.;
• more than 50 kg – 1.5-2 pcs.

Drops

The medication is administered in drops or mixed with a small amount of food. When administered by force, the medication should be applied to the back of the tongue. The daily dose is calculated as follows: 2 drops per 1 kg of body weight. This is usually divided into two doses. The exact dosage is determined by a veterinarian, taking into account the animal's condition, weight, breed, and other factors.

Treatment regimen

For stress and other psychogenic disorders, the medication is given to dogs for 15-20 days. If excessive excitability is observed, the treatment can be extended to 28 days. If stress reoccurs after a period of time, the course is repeated using the same regimen.

For sexual hyperactivity, Stop-Stress is combined with contraceptives. Your veterinarian will determine the duration of treatment based on your pet's condition. In any case, the medication should not be administered for more than 28 days.

To prevent stress, the medication should be given to the pet 3-5 days before and after the event that could cause this condition, for another 1-4 days until the pet returns to normal.

Contraindications and side effects

You shouldn't use Stop-stress for dogs:

• in case of intolerance to the components;
• in pathologies of the genitourinary system;
• with diabetes mellitus;
• in oncology;
• during pregnancy and lactation.

The drug is usually well tolerated by animals, but can sometimes cause the following side effects:

• drowsiness;
• excessive excitability;
• vomiting;
• allergies;
• nausea.

Exceeding the recommended dose may cause gastrointestinal disturbances, lethargy and drowsiness, and low blood pressure. In this case, discontinue the medication. Sorbents are used to reduce its effects. Symptomatic medications are also prescribed.

Price

The average cost of Stop-stress for dogs is given:

• drops 15 ml – 200-230 rub.;
• tablets for small breeds, 20 pcs. – 225-250 rubles;
• tablets for large pets, 20 pcs. – 280-330 rubles.

Owner reviews

Yana, owner of a German Spitz:

"We adopted a five-month-old German Spitz puppy from friends who had moved abroad. He seemed to sense that we were his new owners, but he was still stressed. He started eating poorly and didn't want to play. At the clinic, they recommended Stop-Stress drops. Within a couple of days, the puppy felt better. We used the medication when we were training him to use the car. We were pleased with the results."

Diana, the Great Dane's owner:

"After Stop-Stress, my Great Dane slept almost nonstop. He didn't want to eat and even drank little. I was seriously scared. But after he got some sleep, he returned to his normal routine, and we were able to successfully forget about the stress from the shots."

Veterinarian Reviews

Alisa, a veterinarian with 8 years of experience:

"Stop-Stress is an effective remedy for stress, anxiety, and arousal, including sexual arousal. When giving it to a dog, owners should remember that it's a medication and it's important to follow the dosage, otherwise side effects cannot be avoided."

Gennady, veterinarian:

"It's very difficult to find Stop-Stress in our small town, so I don't recommend it to my clients. However, based on feedback from my colleagues, I know that the product is effective for both treatment and prevention."

Read also:

• Diseases of the nervous system in dogs
• Heart attack in a dog
• Why a dog howls: reasons and what to do