When your dog is stressed, anxious or otherwise in a difficult situation, it can be very tough on everyone involved. Thats why its important to be armed with knowledge about dog sedatives and what benefits they can offer.
Sedatives for dogs, like Acepromazine, are used quite frequently for dogs, so knowing about the effects it can have is a great way to be prepared whether they react well to it or not. Like most medications, it can come with side effects as well as benefits. Lets take a look into how this medication works, and what its used for!
Simply put, Acepromazine is a sedative that is used for a wide variety of animals, from horses all the way down to cats. Coming from the chemical Phenothiazine, it typically requires a prescription to obtain, so make sure to talk to your vet if you think your pet may benefit from it.
This medication is also one that is quite versatile, helping to avoid nausea, ease problems with stress and anxiety, and can even be used to calm animals down for minor surgical procedures or other events. Its also known to have an effect on the dopamine levels in your pets body.
If youre new to these kinds of medications, then make sure a licensed veterinarian guides you through the process, so that you can learn how to sedate your dog effectively and safely.
There are a number of situations in which Acepromazine is used. They can include travel, visits to a vet or groomer, stress, surgery or aggression. Below, well take a deeper look into when and why this medication is used, and for what effect.
Surgery is a common time when this medication is used. Many vets use acepromazine maleate for dogs prior to surgery. It can help animals exhibiting symptoms of stress, are aggressive or skittish, or simply has a lot of energy. With acepromazine use, it can be easier to sedate the dog fully for the surgery.
Afterword, it can be used to assist in the recovery process. Dogs that may have a lot of energy may require it to keep them from being too active and causing trauma to stitches or otherwise disrupting the healing process. It also does a great job of keeping nausea at bay so that pets can heal more effectively.
For many pets, travel can be a stressful thing. While some dogs might enjoy a ride in the car, some may experience motion sickness quite easily. Further still, flying can be more stressful than fun for pets. At these times, Ace for dogs can be a useful tool to keep pets calm and avoiding nausea.
When aggressive, or frightened dogs that may become aggressive, need to be checked out by a vet or otherwise handled, it can be a good idea to make use of a sedative, or a natural alternative like CBD to help calm them down. That way, those trying to help them dont have to worry about being bitten, and the dog can feel a little calmer during the process.
Some dogs love visiting the vet or groomer, but many others do not. Acepromazine is a useful tool in assisting those dogs that arent fond of either visit. Dog sedatives for grooming purposes can help to calm them down, keeping both the groomer and the dog safe.
Truly, any situation that can cause your dog a lot of stress is one that this medication may be useful for. If you have a dog that seems to be frequently stressed or anxious, oral or parenteral administration of Acepromazine may help them relax. Oral Acepromazine is generally safe and well-tolerated by dogs. Talk to your veterinarian about what option may be best for your pet.
If you havent used it before, you may not know how much Aceprozamine to give a dog. The Aceprozamine dosage can vary, depending on the breed and weight of your dog, as well as the issue they are being treated for.
Generally speaking, Aceprozamine dogs may receive anywhere from 0.25mg to 1mg for each pound they weigh. For example, the dosage for a 50lb dog would be around 12mg to 50mg.
Its also important to keep in mind that this isnt a medication with an immediate sedative effect. Make sure that you provide the medication around an hour and a half before travel or other events that may be stressful to
them, as it will not work well if your dog is already in a stressful state. Furthermore, dont try to change or guess the Aceprozamine dosage for dogs, but stick to what the vet recommends for the safety of your pet.
Acepromazine can take about 45 minutes to begin working, and may last for six to eight hours at a time.
Note: This drug can cause several adverse effects including effects on the heart, it is important that you avoid use unless you have your vet’s approval and instructions. When using acepromazine tablets to treat dogs the usual dosage is 0.25 – 1 mg/lb. This may be reduced to avoid hypotension when opiates are also being given. A 1 mg/lb dosage is shown on the chart below.
Injectable: The PromAce package insert recommends a dosage of 0.25 – 0.5 mg/lb by injection, but many vets prefer a smaller dose. We recommend 0.012 – 0.09 mg/lb with an upper limit of 3 mg total. When injected IM a slightly higher dose of 0.046 – 0.11 mg/lb can be used, again with an upper limit of 3 mg. Higher amounts are probably safe but increase depression.
* The drug may not be used within 4 days of a racing event. Certain breeds of dog including greyhounds and giant breeds are often more sensitive to this drug while terriers seem to handle it well. The effects of the drug tend to last longer for older pets. Pregnancy/nursing: Avoid use in pregnant or nursing animals if possible.
In many cases, the risks of using ace outweigh the benefits and safer medicines should be chosen instead. As an example, acepromazine can lower blood pressure and affect heart function so it’s often best to use different medicines for anxiety relief and motion sickness. Because dogs seem to be more sensitive to the effects on the heart than other species it is even more important that you do not use this medicine without speaking to your vet. It may be unsuitable for:
Acepromazine is most often used as a sedative or as a pre-med but can also prevent itching and travel sickness. It does not act as an effective painkiller. For pain relief, tramadol is a better option.
How Does Cytopoint Work in Dogs?
Cytopoint is designed to block signals that trigger allergic itch in dogs. Once the itching has been reduced, your dog will scratch and lick the area less.
The less your dog scratches and licks his/her skin, the better. Unfortunately, the constant attention to the area can cause the skin to break open. This leaves the skin vulnerable to bacterial infection.
Acepromazine For Dogs: The Bottom Line
When possible, its a good idea to look for natural solutions to the problems your dog might be having. Things like anxiety and stress can be relieved through methods that are simpler, less costly and avoid the side effects that medications can have.
That said, there are absolutely situations when tranquilizers for dogs like Acepromazine maleate are needed. Talking to your vet about how and when to provide medications like these can help you to ensure they are efficient and safe for your dog. The more information you can gain, the better off you and your beloved family member will be!