About Acepromazine in Cats
Acepromazine, commonly given to cats, dogs and horses, tranquilizes animals and also achieves other purposes. Ace is a phenothiazine, a compound found in many anti-psychotic and antihistamine drugs. It is often prescribed for cats before surgery, grooming or travel, or for cats who are anxious, panicky or nauseous.
The cat will be under the influence of the drug for six to eight hours after it is administered.
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Uses
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Prescribed to tranquilize and sedate cats, Ace is also used for anxiety and to stop vomiting. This drug can help the heart stay in rhythm, prevent motion sickness and temporarily reduce itching and scratching from allergies. It's often given to fractious cats before a veterinary visit, nail trimming or grooming.
How it Works
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Ace decreases the cat's dopamine levels and depresses parts of the reticular activating system. Ace doesn't suppress an animal's feeling of pain, and the drug can be overcome unexpectedly. It is usually not as effective at calming or tranquilizing a cat who is already excited. Different animals react differently to the drug, with some being heavily tranquilized by it and others only slightly tranquilized. A few animals have a counter-response and become aggressive or over-excited when the drug is administered.
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Administration
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Ace can be given intramuscularly, intravenously or orally. Dosage is 0.25 to 1 mg per pound of body weight. It should be given to the cat at least 45 minutes to one hour before the event for which it is being prescribed, such as a veterinary appointment, grooming or travel.
What to Expect
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When you administer acepromazine to your cat, expect her to be uncoordinated for several hours. It is best to place her in a safe place, such as a crate or carrier, where she can't fall and injure herself. Her third eyelid will be exposed and her urine may contain a slight pink color.
If you are traveling with your cat in conditions where she may experience extreme temperatures--either hot or cold--you might consider a different medication to treat her anxiety and/or motion sickness because of Ace's effect on your cat's ability to heat and cool herself.
Side Effects
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While Ace is a relatively safe and common veterinary drug, in rare cases, some animals have had serious side effects. Cardiovascular side effects have included decreased or absent pulse and breathing, pale gums and unconsciousness.
Interactions with anesthetics have been fatal in a few animals.
Precautions
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Ace should not be used in animals who are dehydrated, anemic, in shock, in extreme cold, with liver or heart disease, who are injured or debilitated, who are suffering from tetanus or strychnine poisoning, who are pregnant or nursing, or who have a history of epilepsy.
Ace should not be used or used in very limited doses--and only with strict veterinary supervision--in elderly animals and very young animals.
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References
- Photo Credit Bethney Foster
