Can Acepromazine Kill A Dog?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Can Acepromazine Kill A Dog?“.

If your dog has trouble staying calm for grooming appointments or if he/she has difficulty traveling and you have a big trip coming up you may want to consider these tips.

Acepromazine is a drug your veterinarian has prescribed for your pet and you may be hesitant to give it to your pet since you have never given it to him before. 

Isnot it dangerous to give dogs sedatives with long fancy names just for regular occasions?

Do you think its worth it and is there a risk of death?

Acepromazine carries a very low risk of causing your dog to die.

Despite giving the drug up to 100mg/lb none of the dogs died during the trials. 

As a result dogs can suffer from overdoses and adverse reactions if they receive too many tablets or if the medication is not ideal for your dog.

Thats why its vital to discuss with your veterinarian whether this drug is right for your pup. 

You probably have a lot of questions about acepromazine so here are some answers.

To have peace of mind when it comes to your dogs health and safety we want you to be able to make informed decisions.

What is Acepromazine?

Dogs and cats can be calmed and sedated with Acepromazine an FDA-approved sedative/tranquilizer. It was originally used as an antipsychotic in humans in the 1950s!

It works by decreasing the level of dopamine in animals and by affecting certain parts of the reticular activating system.

Acepromazine lowers anxiety lowers blood pressure and heart rate and relaxes muscles. 

When Will My Vet Prescribe My Dog Acepromazine? 

For a variety of reasons your veterinarian may prescribe acepromazine for your dog! It will usually be right before a long travel day especially if your dog is prone to motion sickness or travel anxiety.

Occasionally your pup may experience itching and scratching due to allergies and acepromazine can help alleviate these discomforts. 

Your dog may be prescribed this medication to calm him or her down before grooming appointments nail trimmings or office visits. In particular pets that are too rowdy to handle safely without sedation should be sedated. 

What Dosage of Acepromazine Should Be Given to Dogs?

You need to give your dog a low dosage of acepromazine at first in order to prevent any adverse reactions! 

It is recommended to take 0.25-1mg/lb of body weight. 

However acepromazine is still generally safe if you exceed the recommended dosage a safety study showed no adverse reactions when dogs were given three times the recommended dosage.

Acepromazines dosage may need to be increased by half a tablet at a time if you use it regularly. Over time your dog will develop a tolerance to the drug and the same amount would not produce the same sedative effect. 

How To Administer Acepromazine To Dogs Correctly? 

As well as being administered by injection acepromazine can also be taken as a tablet. 

Veterinarians are usually the only ones who inject the drug as this can be dangerous and should be handled by experts. Your veterinarian will prescribe tablets for your pet to use at home or on the go. 

You can give your pets these tablets orally and hide them in their food for dogs who are pickier or reluctant to consume their medication.

How To Give an Acepromazine Pill To A Dog Successfully?

If your dog is having difficulty swallowing the acepromazine tablets no need to worry there are solutions! 

It is typically best to hide the tablet in their food which can be done by packing a small ball of meat dog food or cheese around it. These are usually swallowed whole by dogs so they would not taste or feel the medicine. 

In addition to the ease of digestion this method will also prevent stomach aches in your dog. On an empty stomach its best not to give your pet any kind of medication.

You can open your dogs mouth and get him to swallow the sedative if you are still having trouble getting him to ingest it:

1. Take your non-dominant hand and hold your dogs head from the top 
2. Tilt your dog’s head backward
3. Gently fold their upper lip over their teeth as you open their mouth
4. Drop the tablet as far back over their tongue as possible
5. Right away close their mouth 
6. Blowing on the nose to encourage it to swallow

It might take some time to get the process right and dealing with your dogs sharp teeth can be dangerous! 

Make sure to clean any bite wounds right away and visit the hospital if you get bitten. There is a lot of bacteria in dogs’ mouths that are dangerous to humans so dog bite wounds can be dangerous.

How Long Does It Take For Acepromazine To Work On Dogs?

It will take time for acepromazine to work on dogs depending on several factors such as the size and breed of your dog and whether they have previously taken it.

Typically the sedative takes thirty to sixty minutes to take effect usually only thirty. If it is your dogs first time receiving the drug make sure to give it to them one hour before the event they need to be calm for. 

How Long Does It Take Acepromazine To Wear Off On Dogs?

In general acepromazine is a pretty long-lasting tranquilizer. In most cases the effects of sedatives last for six to eight hours but can even be prolonged in some cases.

Ensure that you schedule your dogs day accordingly so that he or she will have plenty of time to regain his or her energy after the sedation!

What Are The Side-Effects Of Acepromazine For Dogs? 

A puppy an old dog a lactating or pregnant dog should never be given acepromazine. Acepromazine may cause harmful side effects for your pets. 

Additionally you should avoid the drug if your dog has:

• Cardiovascular disease that is significant
• Low blood pressure
• Severe dehydration
• Tetanus 
• Shock 

The drug may cause negative reactions in some dogs. Aggression biting chewing or nervousness are possible side effects. The drug can also cause drowsiness in your dog.

These side effects are more likely to occur in certain dog breeds:

• Collies
• Sheepdogs
• Bulldogs
• Collie bulldog or sheepdog cross-breeds

It is because these breeds are genetically altered to react poorly to acepromazine and other drugs and cannot tolerate high doses.

In case your dog matches any of these descriptions its a good idea to discuss alternatives with your vet that do not have any side effects.

Are There Any Alternatives To Acepromazine For Dogs?

If you do not think acepromazine is right for your dog there are many alternatives that will reduce their anxiety and calm them down. 

In cases where your dog is extremely anxious or acts up before after or during events a drug can help for the time being but most likely would not cure the underlying problem. There are many benefits to behavioral therapy for dogs in terms of reducing anxiety and addressing the root problem.

Your vet clinic or online retailer can provide reassuring body wraps for anxious dogs. 

In addition to these over-the-counter sedatives there are a variety of other options available if your dog exhibits mild anxiety as well. 

You can choose from the following options:

• Diazepam and butorphanol
• Phenobarbital and diazepam 
• Dexmedetomidine
• Ketamine 
• Butorphanol 

In addition to nutritional supplements there are other ways to reduce anxiety in dogs. Here are some examples:

• L-theanine 
• Melatonin
• S-adenosyl-methionine

What should I do if my dog doesn’t wake up after Acepromazine? 

The most likely cause of your dogs unconsciousness following acepromazine administration is an overdose. When this is the case its important to seek immediate medical attention for your pet. 

Among the other symptoms of an overdose are:

• Extreme drowsiness
• Unsteady movement
• Slowed heart rate

To avoid overdosing on your dog talk to your vet about dosage and make sure that you’re not exceeding the amount thats safe for his specific needs. 

You should also let your veterinarian know about any other medications that your dog is taking. When mixed with other drugs in your pets system acepromazine can have a negative effect. 

When used correctly acepromazine can be a very useful sedative! For all of you dog owners out there it can make trips to the nail trimmer or long flights much less stressful. 

Donot forget that if you’re using this drug regularly there may be some underlying issues that you should discuss with your veterinarian. You should always speak to your vet about the proper dosage for your dog since every dog is different. 

Acepromazine is generally considered to be beneficial and safe for your pup so you are not putting them at risk.

If you want to read more about dog health tips read here: Dog Health Tips and Tricks.

Can Acepromazine Kill A Dog? (Watch Video)