Description
Detomidine is a non-narcotic sedative, analgesic, and muscle relaxant, with a rapid dose-dependent effect. Sedation may be expected within 1 – 5 minutes following intravenous injection (slightly longer following intramuscular administration). Detomo Vet is an alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist at central and peripheral sites. Its central depressive action produces sedation without any hypnotic effect. Detomo Vet produces analgesia by inhibition of CNS-mediated transmission of pain impulses and pain sensation. Full analgesic effect is expected 5 – 15 minutes after administration. A period of sedation is maintained for 0.5 – 6 hours, depending on the dose rate given.
Detomo Vet can be used in any situation requiring reliable sedation of horses, particularly if analgesia is also required. As a sedative, the dose can be altered to produce reliable variations in depth and duration of sedation.
Examples of indications for use include sedation for diagnostic or radiographic procedures; dental procedures; transport and clipping. Although Detomo Vet causes reduced levels of consciousness, horses will remain standing (do not support the horse artificially – it will seek and find its own unsupported balance).
Horses sedated with Detomo Vet experience fewer involuntary gross motor movements (e.g. involuntary kicking) than experienced under other non-narcotic sedatives such as Acepromazine or Xylazine.
Diagnostic Procedures: which may cause discomfort or resentment, such as catheterisation, oral and ophthalmic examinations, rectal and vaginal investigations.
Minor Surgery: including application and removal of casts, dressing changes, minor suturing, surgical procedures with local anaesthetic.
Use alone or in conjunction with narcotics such as butorphanol.
Pre-anaesthesia: Detomo Vet may be used as a reliable pre-anaesthetic sedative. At recommended dose rates Detomo Vet will produce a potentiation of the effects of CNS depressant barbiturate anaesthetic agents. The dosage of such compounds should be correspondingly reduced and administered to effect.
Colic: Detomo Vet is an effective analgesic sedative in the horse, with full analgesic occurring 5 – 15 minutes after administration. Like other alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists, some smooth muscle relaxation may occur when using Detomo Vet. Therefore it is useful when cases of spasmodic colic have been diagnosed by the veterinarian. Do not use when colic is originating from literal or functional intestinal obstructions or from paralytic ileus.
Radiography: use a low dose of Detomo Vet (see dosage schedule) to aid positioning of xrays.
Withhold feed until the effects of the drug wear off. Failure of relief, or very short relief of pain following administration is often an indication of the need for surgical intervention in colics.
Detomo Vet can be given either intravenously or intramuscularly, as required. The effect is dose-dependent.
