Acepromazine: Uses, Dose and Side Effects

Acepromazine: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects In Dogs, Cats & All Animals

Overview

It’s one of the Phenothiazines. It acts on the CNS and make depression, so It’s
causing sedation and a reduction in spontaneous activity.

Uses of Acepromazine For Dogs, Cats & All Animals

• Sedation or pre-anesthetic medication: Commonly used for calming animals before anesthesia.
• Antiarrhythmic effects: Increases the threshold for cardiac arrhythmias.
• Management of thromboembolism in cats: Improves blood flow in some cases of thromboembolism.
• Adjunctive treatment in urethral obstruction in male cats: Used in combination with other medications to alleviate urethral obstruction without catheterization.
• Laminitis in horses: May improve blood flow to the distal limb, aiding in the treatment of laminitis.

Dose of Acepromazine For Dogs, Cats & All Animals

Dose of Acepromazine For Dogs:

• 0.01–0.02 mg/kg slowly i.v
• 0.01–0.05 mg/kg i.m., s.c
• 1–3 mg/kg p.o.

Dose of Acepromazine For Cats:

• 0.01–0.02 mg/kg slowly I.v
• 0.01–0.05 mg/kg I.m., S.c
• 1–3 mg/kg P.o

Dose of Acepromazine For Horses:

• 0.02–0.1 mg/kg i.m., i.v., or s.c. for sedation or pre-anesthesia.
• 0.005–0.04 mg/kg i.v. for antiarrhythmic or pre-anesthetic effects.

Dose of Acepromazine For Cattle:

• 0.01–0.02 mg/kg i.v. or 0.03–0.1 mg/kg i.m. for sedation.

Dose of Acepromazine For Swine:

• 0.1–0.2 mg/kg i.m. or s.c. for sedation.

Dose of Acepromazine For Ferrets:

• 0.25–0.75 mg/kg i.m. or s.c. for tranquilization.

Dose of Acepromazine For Rabbits:

• 0.75–1 mg/kg i.m. for sedation.

Side Effects of Acepromazine For Dogs, Cats & All Animals

• Hypotension: Profound hypotension may occur due to vasodilation effects.
• Decreased Hematocrit: Splenic sequestration of red blood cells can reduce hematocrit values transiently.
• Syncope in Boxers: Due to sinoatrial block, particularly in Boxers, fainting may occur.
• Prolapse of the nictitating membrane: Commonly observed in cats and dogs after administration.
• Penile prolapse in horses: Rarely, horses may experience penile prolapse, potentially leading to permanent dysfunction.

Contraindications of Acepromazine For Dogs, Cats & All Animals

• Hypotension: Avoid use in patients with pre-existing hypotension.
• Liver disease: As acepromazine requires hepatic metabolism, it should be used with caution or avoided in patients with severe liver dysfunction.
• Young animals (<3 months): Not recommended for use in very young animals.
• MDR1 gene mutation: Dogs with this gene mutation, particularly herding breeds, require dose reduction to avoid prolonged sedation.
• Boxers: Due to increased sensitivity, it is recommended to use low doses or avoid use altogether in this breed.

Some Notes:

• Analgesia: Acepromazine provides no pain relief and should be used alongside appropriate analgesics in painful procedures.
• Drug Interactions: Concomitant use with antacids, antidiarrheals, and alpha-adrenergic agonists may interfere with acepromazine’s effects. Additionally, using acepromazine with epinephrine can result in “epinephrine reversal,” leading to unopposed beta-adrenergic effects and severe hypotension.
• Effect Variability: The sedative effects of acepromazine can be overridden by patient arousal, making it unreliable as the sole agent for restraint. Animals sedated with acepromazine may still startle easily, especially in noisy environments.
• Respiratory Effects: Minimal effects on respiratory function, though monitoring is necessary in compromised animals.
• Breeding Concerns: Acepromazine is contraindicated in some reproductive scenarios, including cesarean sections, due to its prolonged sedative effects and risk of hypotension.