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  Discussion on Acepromazine vs. Promazine Granules
Author Message
Member:
Cometcar

Posted on Monday, Oct 13, 2003 - 9:13 pm:

I'm hand-walking my 7 yr. old Hanoverian for two more months (one month completed!) and he's beginning to get that "pressure cooker" feeling. Is there a difference between acepromazine and promazine granules? I'm a git paranoid about giving him anything long-term but he and I both need to stay safe and to protect his fractured hip from a set-back.
As always, many thanks!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 - 6:27 am:

The biggest difference is that last time I looked Promazine granules were off the market. We have used the injectable formulation of ace orally successfully, it is surprisingly cheap.
DrO
Member:
Westks

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 - 6:44 am:

Dr O
I would not want to use ace, If it were my horse. I would think a calmer would be more appropriate, my thinking would be that I need to know if horse is experiencing more than expected pain, and wouldn't want to mask that as much as ace would.
Am I way off here or is this particular situation with hip require ace. I have had great results with quietex and tryptophane with my TB mare. I would think these would be safer than ace too.
Please advise me if I am way off here.
Member:
Cometcar

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 - 7:10 am:

My first thought was to use tryptophan as well, however, after reading the article found on this site, I have concerns.
My horse is not in obvious pain, in fact, Michigan State vets think a possible muscle pull in the area has probably been more uncomfortable than the trauma to his hip. (He is not lame at the walk.)
My local vet is bringing a laser of some sort today as an additional healing therapy. Any information on this type of treatment?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 - 12:25 pm:

The problem Janette is that not only is there no scientific support for the efficacy of these substances but I have seen them fail dozens of times over the last 20 years. Occasionally I have a client report a noticable change but shortly thereafter they invariaibly report that it must of quit working.

Also you are incorrect about ace masking pain. Occasionally we examine an excitable horses with a low grade lameness. His excitement makes the lameness harder to examine. 1 or 2 cc of ace and ten minutes: he is calmed down and now the lameness is quite easy to see.
DrO
Member:
Westks

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 - 11:04 am:

Thank You Dr O It was very important that I know, the particulars of why ace was being used. We never know when we might be in same situation. Now one more question could this be used safely on mare carrying foal? I have heard some horror stories about ace, so basically I avoid till no other choice.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Oct 16, 2003 - 12:16 pm:

Hello Janette,
There are no specific contraindications or toxic reactions for pregnant mares, see article for more. For light procedures where sedation is required it is my drug of choice in pregnant mares due to the effects of other tranquilizers on pregnancy and the problems with horses kicking with other drugs. With dozens (hundreds?) of such uses I have had no adverse reactions.

However no sedative should be used lightly in the pregnant animal. There are no specific studies on the safety in pregnant mares and the benefits should outweigh the risks, which in this case in a healthy pregnant mare seem to be quite small.
DrO
Member:
Mwebster

Posted on Thursday, Oct 16, 2003 - 5:53 pm:

Just curious, but would Ace be an alternative to dermosadan/butorphanol, which my gelding gets for floats? Reason I ask is the tranqs make his "nose quivers" much worse, so I need to be in the stall with him to pinch his nose to ward them off, or to stop them when they happen, otherwise the dentist is constantly interrupted.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Oct 17, 2003 - 10:31 am:

Probably not Melissa, horses are arousable out of the ace but not the very heavy sedative combination you describe, but it all depends on the horse. Some just need a little extra, most don't need sedation at all to be floated.
DrO
Member:
Mwebster

Posted on Friday, Oct 17, 2003 - 1:33 pm:

I'll ask my dentist to try without sedating him next time. He is a special case, and had never been floated till age 19 when I bought him. Our other 2 don't require sedation.
M
Member:
Westks

Posted on Saturday, Oct 18, 2003 - 1:24 pm:

Thank You Dr "O" I am incredibly relieved now. I was specifically worried about my pregnant mares and which product to use if something did happen that required that.
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