Episode 88 – Serotonin Syndrome - What you need to know!

Serotonin Syndrome, also known as Serotonin Toxicity, is the most severe side effect of serotonergic medication and can potentially be fatal if not treated and managed.

Therefore, understandably, many vets are very cautious when it comes to prescribing serotonergic agents and especially when combining serotonergic agents such as an SSRI and, for example, trazodone.

· But, how frequent is this side effect in practice?

· What are the signs you should be looking out for?

· What can you teach your caregivers to do in terms of monitoring to screen for mild signs of Serotonin Syndrome?

· What medications, aside from psychopharmaceutical medications, can cause Serotonin Syndrome?

· What are the Differential Diagnoses for Serotonin Syndrome?

· And how do you treat a pet with Serotonin Toxicity?

I talk about all this and more in this episode!

Here are the studies I mention in the episode:

1. Indrawirawan, Y., & McAlees, T. (2014). Tramadol toxicity in a cat: Case report and literature review of serotonin syndrome. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 16(7), 572–578. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X14539088

2. Pugh, C. M., Sweeney, J. T., Bloch, C. P., Lee, J. A., Johnson, J. A., & Hovda, L. R. (2013). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) toxicosis in cats: 33 cases (2004-2010). Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 23(5), 565–570. https://doi.org/10.1111/vec.12091

3. Thomas, D. E., Lee, J. A., & Hovda, L. R. (2012). Retrospective evaluation of toxicosis from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants: 313 dogs (2005-2010). Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 22(6), 674–681. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-4431.2012.00805.x

If you’d like to learn more about Veterinary Psychopharmacology, then my PSYCHOACTIVE course is for you!

Follow the link below to get access to PSYCHOACTIVE – PRACTICAL VETERINARY PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY

Use SUMMER50 for a 50% Discount this summer 2025!

https://katrin-jahn.mykajabi.com/psychoactive

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