Dobekiss:
Hope this helps,
Have given it to my 75lb female, just 1/2 tablet was fine for her. She was sleepy, but not "out". Still let us know when she had to pee, etc., but was real calm. But my Dobe was not blind, so.... I think Sasha may be more prone to being hyperaware to put it mildly.
Acepromazine Maleate (AceVet) For Veterinary Use
By Barbara Forney VMD
Dogs and Cats
Acepromazine is one of the most commonly used tranquilizers for cats and dogs. It decreases anxiety, causes central nervous system depression, and a drop in blood pressure and heart rate. It may be used in conjunction with atropine as a pre-operative medication for anxiety and for its antidysrhythmic effects. Oral acepromazine may be prescribed to prevent motion sickness, to temporarily reduce itching and scratching due to allergies, or prior to office visits, nail trimming or grooming appointments if the animal is too fractious to handle safely without sedation. Some veterinarians are reluctant to prescribe acepromazine for travel anxiety when the animal may be exposed to temperature extremes, such as during plane travel, or when there may be limited access to veterinary care. Other drugs used for travel anxiety/motion sickness include meclizine, diphenhydramine, and diazepam. Occasionally, animals (particularly cats) may have a paradoxical response to acepromazine and become excited, or aggressive.
Side Effects
• Common: Acepromazine will cause hypotension, decreased respiratory rate and bradycardia. Dogs are particularly sensitive to cardiovascular side effects but cardiovascular collapse has also occurred in cats. Sudden collapse, decreased or absent pulse and breathing, pale gums, and unconsciousness may occur in some animals.
• Rare: fatal interactions with anesthetics have been reported.
• Acepromazine will cause a dose dependent decrease in hematocrit in both dogs and horses. This effect occurs within 30 minutes of administration and may last for 12 hours or more. The hematocrit in horses may decrease by as much as 50%.
• Penile paralysis is a rare but recognized adverse side effect of acepromazine use in the horse. This drug should be avoided in breeding stallions.
Precautions
• Acepromazine lowers blood pressure: it should not be used in animals that are dehydrated, anemic or in shock.
• Acepromazine should be avoided or used with extreme caution in older animals, or those with liver disease, heart disease, injury, or debilitation. If it is used in these animals, it should be given in very small doses. In some older animals, a very small dose can have a marked and very prolonged effect.
• Acepromazine should not be used in animals with a history of epilepsy, those prone to seizures, or those receiving a myelogram because it may lower the seizure threshold.
• Acepromazine should not be used in animals with tetanus or strychnine poisoning.
• Acepromazine should be avoided in pregnancy or lactation. It should be avoided or used with extreme caution in young animals due to its effects on an animal's ability to thermo regulate.
• Dogs: Giant breeds and greyhounds may be extremely sensitive to acepromazine, while terriers may require higher doses. Brachycephalic breeds, especially Boxers, are particularly prone to cardiovascular side effects (drop in blood pressure and slow heart rate). Acepromazine should be avoided or used with great caution in these breeds.
• Horses: Draft horse breeds are especially sensitive to most sedatives including acepromazine. Pony breeds do not appear to differ from horses in their response to acepromazine.
Drug Interactions
• Animals receiving acepromazine will require lower doses of barbiturates, narcotics, and other anesthetics. These combinations increase central nervous system depression.
• Antidiarrheal mixtures like Kaopectate and Pepto-Bismol, or antacids decrease the absorption of oral acepromazine.
• Acepromazine should not be used within one month of deworming with organophosphate compounds.
• Quinidine, epinephrine, propanolol, procaine hydrochloride and phenytoin have all been shown to have significant drug interactions with phenothiazines. Further information should be sought before concomitant administration.
Overdose
• Overdose will cause excessive sedation, slow respiratory and heart rate, pale gums, unsteady gait, poor coordination, and inability to stand. It may also cause sudden collapse, unconsciousness, seizures and death.
• Oral overdose should be treated by emptying the stomach along with monitoring and other supportive care.
• Phenylephrine and norepinephrine are the drugs of choice to treat acepromazine-induced hypotension. Barbiturates, or diazepam may be used for the treatment of seizures associated with overdose.
http://www.wedgewoodpharmacy.com/mon...FQwrswodIz-dCA
On vetmed thread I read:
That is the pill that the vet gave my dog, that Zencat posted about. My sister had the same problem with her dog and that is the same pill she got also. REALLY helped...Just make sure to withhold any food prior to trip.
BLUIZK