Acepromazine is by far the most widely used sedative in all domestic animals. Chlorpromazine was the original drug of this class, and although it is still sometimes used in people (for schizophrenia), it is not used in animals any more. It is only mentioned here because the effects of acepromazine have never been properly assessed - it has always been assumed to be very similar to chlorpromazine. Methotrimeprazine (levomepromazine INN) is a human drug sometimes used to sedate children - it is supposed to have some analgesic effects. It is usualy used in veterinary practice as an antihistamine, as is promethazine.
•sedation
•anti emetic
•vasodilatation
•lowers temperature
•analgesic / hyperalgesic (depending on the particular drug)
•anti muscarinic
•anti histamine
•extra pyramidal stimulation (Parkinson’s disease)
•stress
•epilepsy / convulsions - D2 antagonism causes dyskinesias
•shock
•cardiovascular disease - a1 antagonism causes hypotension
•Boxers - collapse - vagal syncope? give with atropine
•stallions - prolapse of the penis
Use the smallest dose which works. Bigger doses prolong the effect rather than increase the depth of sedation. Avoid getting the animal excited before administration. Animals excited after injury would be better sedated by an opioid analgesic.
