sedatives/tranquilisers

Question 1

acepromazine contraindications

Answer 1

no analgesia
do not give to boxers - causes syncope
do not give to collies - increased side effects due to MDRP1
Large breed dogs – low metabolic body weight = don’t exceed 1mg total dose
do not give to stallions - causes priapism

Question 2

benefits of acepromazine

Answer 2

one of most commonly used
can be combined with opioids to produce sedation
given in low doses so less side effects
weak antiemetic so may reduce vomiting associated with morphine administration

Question 3

medetomidine side effects

Answer 3

reflex bradycardia when given intramuscularly, 3 Hs, emetic

Question 4

benefits of medetomidine

Answer 4

a2 receptor agonist
most potent sedative for small animals + analgesia
can be PO for aggressive cats
initial vasoconstriction = less heat loss

Question 5

what are the possible consequences of giving acepromazine and medetomidine together?

Answer 5

causes very heavy sedation e.g. overactive husky case
* The 3 Hs – hypotension, hypoventilation, hypothermia
* Heavy sedation = CNS depression = respiratory depression
* Airway patency
* Need way less induction agent

Question 6

why don’t you give benzodiazepines to small animals generally?

Answer 6

can only be used in very young or very old animals (basically any animals that spend a lot of time sleeping)
can be very unreliable (disinhibition), can make healthy dogs worse,
water-insoluble so not very well-absorbed