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  Discussion on Reserpine + Acepromazine + Calming Supplements = Dangerous???
Author Message
Member:
mirja

Posted on Saturday, Nov 1, 2008 - 3:33 pm:

Hello,

My 9 year old TB gelding is currently on extended rest with hand walking (5 months). We are about 3 months into the rest and he has been on Reserpine for 2 months. However its calming effect appears to be minimal and he still requires Acepromazine injections in order to be walked safely (3cc 1x / Day). He is still pacing, rearing and running in the stall when I am not there, all things he should not be doing especially given the nature of his injury. (He has two stall mates on either side as well as constant access to hay and toys). I wanted to try a calming supplement with ingredients such as Valerian or Vervain. However I do not want to remove him from Reserpine in the mean time in case it is helping at all (even marginally). Is it dangerous for a horse to be on Reserpine (1x / Month), Acepromazine (1x / Day 3cc) and a calming supplement?

Thank you for any help and advice.

Mirja
Member:
dres

Posted on Saturday, Nov 1, 2008 - 4:16 pm:

Mirja, i can't help you with your question, but i had a filly on extended stall rest 7 months..I found that if i put her on the North side of the barn by day and the South side of the barn by night , just changing her view made her feel like she had turn out ..and help keep her happy.. and i NEVER let her be alone in the barn.. always a stall mate ..
good luck it is not fun..

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Nov 2, 2008 - 9:56 am:

Hello Mirja,
Reserpine itself has a high incidence of toxic reactions by itself. Does acepromazine potentiate or possibly decrease some of these toxic reactions is not studied. And a over the counter calming paste on top of it all really takes it out of the possibility of making a guess. We just don't know.

I would be interested in the mg dosage of reserpine and if the decision is made to use it would note that monthly injections may be too far apart to have good sedating action. For more on this along with dosage recommendations see Treatments and Medications for Horses » Sedatives & Anesthetics » Reserpine.

I would like to note that fluphenazine has been studies a little better in the horse and may be an alternative choice for long term sedation, Treatments and Medications for Horses » Sedatives & Anesthetics » Fluphenazine (Prolixin).
DrO
Member:
sryder11

Posted on Sunday, Nov 2, 2008 - 5:20 pm:

Mirja I feel for you having owned TBs and been through several layups with the one I currently have (who is now finally 17, thankfully!)

neither reserpine nor fluphenazine worked very long nor very well on my horse, maybe 3 days.

I have had him on an oral valerian/herb supplement and given him Ace (usually 2ccs) concurrently with no apparent problems. The Ace as you know is short acting. What I found with valerian is it just takes the edge off a notch when it gets into their system. Some other friends have told me it had no effect on their horses but I have found it very useful with my current horse. A few years ago he was off for a few months with foot problems and I never used any Ace to bring him back to work, only a little bit of a valerian blend supplement (for humans!)
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Nov 3, 2008 - 7:58 am:

I have not had a lot of success with herbal/vitamin/tryptophan pastes in calming horses. On the other hand I find most horses with good management settle down eventually. For more on this see Training & Conditioning Horses » Behavioral Problems » Stall Resting Horses.
DrO
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