Acepromazine in Dogs

Acepromazine maleate in veterinary medicine is in the class of drugs called tranquilizers or sedatives. It is a relatively benign drug and is considered safe with a low order of toxicity. In most dogs, acepromazine quickly produces a mentally relaxed state with little of the hypnotic effect seen in some tranquilizers.

  1. Function

    • Norepinephrin is a natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands in the dog's body that causes an increased heart rate and an elevation in blood pressure. Acepromazine works by inhibiting the transmission of this neurohormone to the central nervous system, allowing the animal to relax and become more sedate. It is used by veterinarians as a sedative prior to surgery and can be used to decrease vomiting associated with motion sickness or chemotherapy. Because acepromazine lowers the heart rate and the blood pressure, veterinarians also prescribe this drug for dogs with "storm anxiety."

    Dosage

    • Also known as PromAce, acepromazine comes in 5, 10 and 25 milligram tablets to be given at home and an injectable version for use only in a veterinary hospital. For sedation in dogs, the dosage can range anywhere from 0.25 mg to 1.1 mg per pound of weight. That means a 22 pound dog may receive the sedative in the range of 5 mg to 20 mg, depending on the severity of the anxiety recorded and the recommendation of the veterinarian. Vets usually prescribe acepromazine at the lower end of the scale.

    Time Frame

    • Acepromazine is a fairly long-lasting sedative and owners should expect the effects of the drug to last anywhere from six to eight hours. Usually vets recommend the drug be given to a dog on an as-needed basis only; however, should the veterinarian prescribe acepromazine for daily use, it needs to be administered at the same time every day.

    Considerations

    • With sedation, the dog can become ataxic, losing muscle coordination and stumbling when it tries to walk. Involuntary muscle movements (twitching) are rare but have been known to occur. Some dogs, particularly the brachycephalic breeds such as Pugs, English Bulldogs and Boston Terriers may have a lowered breath rate and labored breathing and will need to be closely monitored. Low blood pressure, called hypotension, is also possible with the administration of acepromazine. A common effect of this sedative is protrusion of the nictating membrane (third eyelid) of the dog. This can be alarming to some owners, but is not harmful to the animal.

    Warning

    • Because acepromazine lowers the seizure threshold, it is not usually recommended for dogs with epilepsy or a history or seizures. It should also be used cautiously in animals on other hypotensive drugs and in cases associated with low blood pressure, such as shock, dehydration and blood loss. Acepromazine is excreted from the body by the liver and, if used in animals with liver disease, may have prolonged effects. Sighthound breeds, such as Salukis, Irish Wolfhounds and Afghan hounds, appear to be particularly sensitive to acepromazine, and the veterinarian will usually recommend another drug for sedation.