Acepromazine and cats..?

Question

My vet prescribed for my cat half tablet of acepromazine 10 mg before travelling because my cat will be travelling 4 hours in the car and then 6 hours later with me in the cabin on an international flight to Europe. What should I expect? I do not want to see my cat heavily sedated but still want to give her relief from the terrible nausea she suffers in the car.

Answer 1

Hi Jane...please check with the airline you will be flying as most will not transport sedated animals. This is something we encountered with nearly every airline domestic and international.

Here's an article written by the American Veterinary Medical Assoc about this:

Don't Sedate or Tranquilize Pets Traveling By Air

American Humane Association Cautions Veterinarians and Pet Owners

Many pet owners may decide to take the family pet along on their trips. A well-planned trip with the family pet can be fun; however, if air travel is involved, leaving pets at home with a good pet sitter may be a much better option.

Pets are just like people who sometimes become anxious when they don't travel frequently. This leads some owners and veterinarians to question whether administering sedatives or tranquilizers to dogs or cats prior to flight is a good idea. According to national and international air transport organizations, as well as the American Humane Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association, in most cases the answer is "no"!

"An animal's natural ability to balance and maintain equilibrium is altered under sedation," noted Dr. Patricia Olson, DVM, Ph.D., director of veterinary affairs and studies for the American Humane Association. "When the kennel is moved, a sedated animal may not be able to brace and prevent injury."

Whether flying in the cabin or with cargo, animals are exposed to increased altitude pressures of approximately 8,000 feet. Increased altitude, according to Olson, can create respiratory and cardiovascular problems for dogs and cats who are sedated or tranquilized.

"Brachycephalic (short-faced) dogs and cats are especially affected," noted Olson. "Although thousands of pets are transported uneventfully by air, airline officials believe that when deaths do occur they often result from the use of sedation."

The American Humane Association cautions veterinarians to carefully consider the use of tranquilizers or sedatives for their clients who are considering air transportation for their family pet.

We have found that most cats will naturally feel somewhat stressed for approximately 30-40 minutes and then sleep the remainder of their travels so sedating isn't actually necessary.

Answer 2

Acepromazine For Cats

Answer 3

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RE:
Acepromazine and cats..?
My vet prescribed for my cat half tablet of acepromazine 10 mg before travelling because my cat will be travelling 4 hours in the car and then 6 hours later with me in the cabin on an international flight to Europe. What should I expect? I do not want to see my cat heavily sedated but still want...

Answer 4

I'm not sure about the concentration of the liquid ace you are giving, but usually 5-15mg of ace ORALLY (the injectable dose is much lower) will do the trick. However, acepromazine is one of those drugs that can be potentiated or diminished by the pet's personality. I have seen 5 mg knock a cat flat, and I've also seen extremely aggressive cats still attacking the front of a cage after 25mg. It sounds as though your cat is not agressive, just very afraid of the carrier, so I'm guessing that a lower dose will be sufficient. If you can give it when she is relaxed and doesn't have any knowledge of the impending stress, it is more likely to work at a lower dose. Please keep in mind that a down side to ace is that when it relaxes the pet, it somewhat impairs their judgement as well, and tends to reduce their natural inhibition to bite (kind of like the person who gets drunk and says all the mean things they would never say sober.) As previously stated, phenothiazenes like ace are very serious drugs that have serious side effects. They do affect the cardiovascular system in ways that you won't be able to check at home (like blood pressure and tissue perfusion), and the drug is metabolized in the liver, so it is important to know that your cat can tolerate the drug. I trust that since your vet has prescribed this, he/she feels your cat can tolerate it OK. While any type of sedation always has its risks, I commend you for going the extra mile to get your cat to the vet for necessary health care!

Answer 5

Ace isn't a harsh seditive. it just makes animals groggy.
It only lasts about 12 hours, so your cat will be back to normal in no time.
If you had to stay in a cargo hold for 10 hours in a crate wouldn't you rather sleep it off?
What should you expect? Your cat will be sleepy. his 3rd eyelids may come up in his eyes a little. It's normal. He'll be a bit unresponsive to you when you check on him, but seditives will make you that way.

Answer 6

Ace can work OK, or it can NOT. Vets should suggest a TRIAL run with it before taking the trip. Some cats actually become MORE hyper. It does not heavily sedate the animal. I hope you have checked with the airline, because some have rules about any kind of sedation.

Answer 7

This is a very safe product. We prescribe Ace all the time for travel situations. It simply helps with nausea and stress. Your kitty will be calm and will probably sleep most of the time, but will be fine and thankful. Be sure to follow the directions as instructed by your vet.

Answer 8

This is a mild sedative for her and will help to calm her nerves - like Valium in people. It might be best to ask your vet HOW sedated she will become by using this, as only he knows the weight and dose requirements for your cat.

Answer 9

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