Detomidine is a potent sedative and pain reliever. It has been used as a sedative and analgesic to facilitate minor surgical and diagnostic procedures in mature horses and yearlings. It has been used successfully for the following: to calm fractious horses, to provide relief from abdominal pain, to facilitate bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, nasogastric intubation, non reproductive rectal palpations, suturing of skin lacerations, and castrations. In very low doses it has been used to aid in difficult trimming or shoeing situations. This article is about the contraindications, toxic effects, dosages, and association drug rules that apply to this medication.

Detomidine is well absorbed after oral administration. Currently it is only available as an injection. Though much is not known, the drug is apparently rapidly distributed into most tissues, including the brain. It is metabolized and then excreted mostly into the urine.