How to Sedate a Dog? – Itsaboutdog

When Do Dogs Need Sedatives?

Different dogs behave differently in the same situation. For example, some dogs suffer anxiety when they visit a vet. In contrast, some dogs visiting a vet don’t have any effect.

Dogs can experience anxiety, fear, or nervousness because of different situations.

Everyday situations in which dogs feel anxious are when there is another pet at home, traveling, visiting the vet, around strangers, loud voices, abandonment, ignorance, fear of being alone at home, grooming, toenail trims, etc. are some of the common reasons why dogs can feel anxious.

So, dogs may need sedatives when they frequently feel anxious or for extended periods.

Things to Check Before Giving Your Dog Any Sedative

Each dog is different, and so are their requirements and treatment. Giving dogs sedatives is a grueling task, and it should be done after researching everything about it. What kind of sedative your dog needs depends on many conditions:

1. For how much time your dog is suffering from anxiety?
2. Your dog’s age and medical history.
3. Your dog is already taking any medication or not.

What are Different Sedatives Used for Dogs?

Depending on the dogs’ condition, different sedatives are given to them. Here is the standard list of sedatives that are given to dogs.

Dogs respond quicker to injectible sedatives than to oral dog sedatives. So, Injectible dog sedatives are preferred over oral dog sedatives.

However, many sedatives can be given orally as well as through injection.

Acepromazine

This drug is used as a part of anesthesia. Acepromazine can be given to dogs sometimes before they visit the vet, before traveling, or before a grooming session.

So that dogs don’t feel anxious during these events. Acepromazine is not preferable for aggressive dogs because this sedative is used just for relief from little anxiousness.

Side effects of Acepromazine: Low Blood Pressure

Butorphanol

It is used to get relief from mild to moderate pain. Butorphanol is a short-acting sedative, and it will work in your pet only for like 24 hours. It can also be given as an oral tablet (with or without food).

Side effects of Butorphanol: Ataxia, Anorexia, diarrhea (rarely).

Telazol

Telazol is used in dogs for minor procedures of short duration, which require mild to moderate analgesia. Lacerations, abscess drainage, castrations, and other treatments needing mild – to – moderate analgesia are termed necessary surgery. Telazol, given orally, is used to induce anesthesia in dogs, which is then maintained using an inhalant anesthetic.

Side effects of Telazol: Respiratory Depression and excessive salivation

Diazepam

Besides acting as a sedative, Diazepam also acts as an anti-anxiety, muscle relaxant, or anticonvulsant medication for dogs. It can also be used to treat behavioral problems like aggression, grooming excessively, etc.

The side effects of Diazepam are impaired coordination and lethargy.

Gabapentin

The vet suggests Gabapentin as a sedative. It also helps relieve anxiety, control pain, and prevent seizures in dogs.

It is an anticonvulsant and analgesic medicine that vets often use to sedate. It’s a human pharmaceutical used in veterinary care that is “off-label,” which means the FDA does not approve it for pets.

Side effects of Gabapentin: Sleepiness, staggering, incoordination, vomiting, diarrhea.

Trazodone

Trazodone is used in the treatment of anxiety disorders in dogs. It can be given alone or in combination with other medication, depending on your dog’s condition and your dog’s vet’s advice.

Side effects of Trazodone: Lethargy, vomiting, drowsiness, increased appetite.

How to Sedate a Dog?

The vet can give sedatives to a dog at home and at a hospital. Giving sedatives is a tough job, and it should be done with utmost care. So, if you have decided to give your dog a sedative at home, follow the rules carefully.

Talk to Your Vet About a Prescription

Administering dogs requires a prescription from the vet because medicines used for dogs are compelling.

• The most commonly used sedative drugs are Acepromazine, Diazepam, and dexmedetomidine.
• These sedative drugs block specific signals in dogs’ CNS (Central Nervous system(), making them calm and sedative.
• Sileo is an FDA-approved gel that can be applied to the inside of a dog’s cheeks or gums to treat anxiety and phobias.

Treated with Acepromazine

It is used to calm aggressive animals. If your dog is suffering from shifting to another place, he will be given Acepromazine. This drug also prevents vomiting.

This drug is available in the form of tablets or a liquid you can pour between your dog’s gums and cheek.

• The vet will likely prescribe a dose of 1-2 mg per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of body weight. So follow your veterinarian’s specific dosing instructions for your dog.
• It is not suggested to use an injectable form of this drug at home. The vet would use it if they needed to sedate your dog for an examination or procedure.
• You can only use ACP prescribed by a vet after they thoroughly assess your dog. ACP is unsuitable for all dogs since it can lower blood pressure, so it is generally not given to older dogs suffering from heart problems.
• So, the vet advises you to test using ACP beforehand if you plan on sedating your dog during travel to see how it reacts to this specific drug.

Treated with Gabapentin

Gabapentin helps dogs in calming and relieving pain. So, it is used as a sedative and as an analgesic.

• Your dog’s vet may prescribe this drug when your dog is suffering anxiety because of pain.
• This drug also comes in tablets as well as in liquid form.
• The typical dosage of Gabapentin given to dogs is 10-20 mg per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of body weight.
• The complete medication takes around 2 hours to full effect, so plan accordingly.
• Check with your dog’s vet for specific dosing instructions as well as for timing when to give these doses.

Treated with Benadryl

• Benadryl is given to dogs who suffer from allergies. Benadryl is not allowed if your dog is already suffering from some medical condition or takes another sedative. So check with your vet about your dog’s condition.
• Generally, you can give 2 mg of Benadryl per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of your dog’s body weight. But also check with your vet before taking the dose.
• You can repeat the dose every 4-6 hours to keep your dog sedated. But remember not to exceed 4 mg of Benadryl per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of body weight every 4-6 hours.

Treated with Trazodone

• Trazodone is used for dogs who are suffering from long-term anxiety.
• You can give this drug to your dog if he needs to be sedated regularly or before any travel, going to the vet, or by noisy events.
• Trazodone is also available in the form of liquids and tablets.
• The dose of Trazodone is typically 5 mg per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of body weight. Also, follow your dog’s vet’s advice regarding doses.
• Trazodone drug needs to be administered 2 hours before sedation is required.

Treated with Benzodiazepines

• Benzodiazepines are used for short-term use. This drug acts fast, but it does not last long.
• This drug is a good option when your dog needs to be sedated quickly because, on some occasions, like vet appointments or traveling.
• The typical dose of this drug is 1 mg per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of your dog’s body weight administered orally.
• But before giving the drug to your dog, follow your vet’s specific dosing instructions.

In case of an emergency, when you’re needed to be sedated and your vet is not available, then the medication will be performed by you. So, how to sedate a dog is essential to know if you are a dog owner.