WRONG NARCOTICS!?!
WARNING
Subjects Acepromazine and Xylazine Ketamine
ACEPROMAZINE
There is one
drug used in anesthetic protocols that should not be used on the
Boxer. That drug is Acepromazine, a tranquilizer that is often used
as a preanesthetic agent. In the Boxer, it tends to cause a problem
called first degree heart block, a potentially serious arrhythmia
of the heart. It also causes a profound hypotension (severe
lowering of the blood pressure) in many Boxers that are given the
drug. Recently on the Veterinary Information Network, a computer
network for practicing veterinarians, an announcement was placed in
the cardiology section entitled "Acepromazine and Boxers". This
described several adverse reactions to the drug in a very short
time span at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital. All the adverse
reactions were in Boxers. The reactions included collapse,
respiratory arrest, and profound bradycardia (slow heart rate, less
than 60 beats per minute). The announcement suggested that
acepromazine should not be used in dogs of the Boxer breed because
of a breed related sensitivity to the drug.
Further warning from a boxer breeder and veterinarian:
This drug is the most commonly prescribed tranquilizer in
veterinary medicine. It is also used orally and is prescribed for
owners who want to tranquilize their dogs for air travel. I would
strongly recommend that Boxer owners avoid the use of this drug,
especially when the dog will be unattended and/or unable to receive
emergency medical care if it is needed.
- Wendy Wallner, DVM December, 1995
If your vet needs more than your word that you do NOT want your
boxer treated with this drug, tell your vet to refer to their
"Handbook of Veterinary Drugs". Every vet has one. Tell them to go
to the section on ACEPROMAZINE. In this section (1993ed) They will
find this information:
"Prolonged effects of the drug may be seen in older animals. Giant
breeds, as well as greyhounds, appear quite sensitive to the
clinical effects of the drug, yet terrier breeds appear more
resistant. Boxer dogs, on the other hand, are predisposed to
hypotensive and bradycardic effects of the drug."
When you first take your boxer to a vet (or to a new vet), for any
kind of treatment have them write in red on the outside of the
patient record "NO ACE". Be firm! If they refuse to do this then I
would immediately remove my dog and find another vet.
Don't be fooled by an uninformed vet...this is a matter of LIFE AND
DEATH!
* . * . * . * . * . *
Advised narcotics by veterinarian:
Zoletil 100 - Zolezepan
BAD ones because the animal feels the pain still
:
Xylazine
Ketamine
