Azaperone is administered deep IM (behind the ear, perpendicular to the skin or in back of the ham). Every animal that is to be moved should be dosed. The dosed animal should be left undisturbed for 20 minutes prior to moving. Movement to soon after dosing may precipitate excitement.
It is also used as a mild tranquiliser (before examination, grooming, or administration of medicines), an anti-emetic, and an antipruritic.
It should not be administered if the animal has recently received an organophosphate anthelminthic, due to an increased risk of toxicity. Ethylisobutrazine may cause the animals urine to turn colour, ranging from pink to reddish-brown.
In large animals, diazepam is used as an appetite stimulant in horses and goats (IV for short term effects -- long term administration will decrease appetite).
Diazepam is also used in goats for the treatment of bermuda grass-induced toxicosis and tremors.
Diazepam may produce hepatotoxicity in cats.
Effects are generally observed within 30 minutes, therefore the drug should be administered 30 min a.c.
The dose is 2 mg/cat q12h.
Note that Serax® is only available in 10, 15, and 30 mg capsules and 15 mg tablets, therefore compounding must be used to acheive the appropriate dose.
Buspirone is used in the treatment of phobias in both dogs and cats.
It is also used for the treatment of excess aggression and lick dermatitis in dogs.
The dose is 2.5-10-15 mg per animal b.i.d.-t.i.d. daily. In highly fearful situations, the animal may also require acepromazine or diazepam.
Fluoxetine (Prozac®) -- This selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor is used in the treatment of stereotypy, obsessive-compulsive behaviour, and phobias in small animals and canine aggression. Overdose may cause seizures.
Selegiline (Anipryl®) -- In January 1999, the FDA also approved the use of this selective monoamine oxidase B inhibitor for the treatment of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). The dose for CDS is 0.5-1 mg/Kg. Selegiline is also used in the treatment of canine Cushing's syndrome at a dose of 1-2 mg/Kg.
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