Behaviour

• oral medications may be given by the owner at home to sedate prior to visit.

  • Trazodone + Gabapentin (modified chill protocol, tablets/capsules)
  • +/-Acepromazine tablets (dogs)
• Acepromazine provides unreliable sedation but may be useful to add into sedation protocol for vasodilatory effects (if planning to place IV cannula)
• Alfaxalone can be used IM (off license) for sedation
• Ketamine can be used as sedation or for anaesthesia. Injection can sting therefore conscious animals may react.
• Medetomidine/Dexmedetomidine provides reliable and profound sedation at high doses.
• Butorphanol provides reliable and profound sedation at high doses.
• which drugs can be given via the oral transmucosal route?

  dexmedetomidine, acepromazine and butorphanol
• Some drugs which may be mentioned in behavioural texts (e.g. diazepam, midazolam, alprazolam) may have a disinhibitory effect on some patients.

  • These drugs may therefore make the animal more likely to bite, as they can disinhibit aggression!
• Imepitoin (Pexion) can be used long term or for situational use. it is a partial agonist for the benzodiazepine binding site of GABA receptors.

  • Reduction of anxiety and fear associated with noise phobias in dogs.
  • In combination with a behavioural modification plan for the treatment of anxiety in dogs.
• Clomipramine (Clomicalm) can be used long term. it blocks serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake in the brain

  • Managing separation-related disorders in dogs alongside behavioural modification plan.
  • Anxiety related disorders in dogs and cats.
• Dexmedetomidine is suitable for situational use it is an Alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist so inhibits release of noradrenaline.

  • Alleviation of acute anxiety and fear associated with noise in dogs (without causing drowsiness)
  • May also be used to reduce the stress of travel and veterinary visits.
• Gabapentin can be used situationally or long term and is a GABA analogue

  • Treatment of neuropathic pain.
  • Useful in treatment of anxiety and compulsive disorders.
  • Useful prior to veterinary visits (especially in cats), often used in combination with Trazodone in dogs.
• Trazodone is for situational use or long term, it is a serotonin antagonist / reuptake inhibitor

  • Management of short-term anxiety related problems (e.g. travel, veterinary visits).
  • Chronic anxiety problems that are unresponsive to other pharmacological interventions, in combination with a behavioural modification plan.
• Propanolol is a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist (beta blocker) which can be used as a situational medication alongside long-term medication in cases of anxiety or phobia.