Dormosedan is indicated for use as a sedative and analgesic to facilitate minor surgical and diagnostic procedures in mature horses and yearlings. It requires a prescription from your veterinarian. Dormosedan is a potent α2-agonist, and extreme caution should be exercised in its use with other sedative or analgesic drugs for they may produce additive effects. When using any analgesic to help alleviate abdominal pain, a complete physical examination and diagnostic work-up are necessary to determine the etiology of the pain. Food and water should be withheld until the sedative effect of Dormosedan has worn off.
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Dormosedan for Horses - 20 cc - [Equine Sedative]
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- Description
- Ingredients
- Directions
- FAQ
- Reviews
Description
Dormosedan for Horses, 20 cc is a powerful, non-narcotic equine sedative and analgesic containing detomidine hydrochloride. This injectable solution is specifically formulated for use in horses, providing safe, reliable sedation and pain relief during minor surgical and diagnostic procedures. Dormosedan offers veterinarians predictable results and ease of dosing, making it a trusted choice for equine sedation.
Key Benefits
- Provides predictable and effective sedation for horses
- Non-narcotic formulation with a wide margin of safety
- Simple dosing: 1–2 mL per 1,100 lb horse
- 80 to 100 times more potent than xylazine
- Long-lasting effects—up to 2 hours of sedation and analgesia
Indications
Dormosedan is indicated for use as a sedative and analgesic in mature horses and yearlings to facilitate minor surgical and diagnostic procedures, including dental exams, hoof care, radiographs, and endoscopy.
Ingredients
Active Ingredient
| Ingredient Name | Concentration |
|---|---|
| Detomidine Hydrochloride | 10 mg/mL |
Directions
Download Dormosedan Injection Product Label (PDF)
Dosage and Administration
Sedation in Horses
Administer Dormosedan via intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection at 20 or 40 mcg of detomidine hydrochloride per kilogram of body weight (equivalent to 0.2 or 0.4 mL per 100 kg or 220 lb). Sedation typically begins within 2–4 minutes (IV) or 3–5 minutes (IM). A 20 mcg/kg dose provides 30–90 minutes of sedation, while 40 mcg/kg offers approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Analgesia in Horses
Dormosedan may be administered IV or IM at 20 or 40 mcg/kg. Analgesia onset occurs within 2–4 minutes, lasting 30–45 minutes for the lower dose and 45–75 minutes for the higher dose.
Combined Sedation and Analgesia
For both effects, administer Dormosedan intravenously at 20 or 40 mcg/kg (0.2 or 0.4 mL per 100 kg body weight). Always allow the horse to rest quietly before and after injection for optimal effect.
Storage Instructions
Store Dormosedan at controlled room temperature: 15–30°C (59–86°F). Protect from light. Keep out of reach of children and animals.
Overdosage
Detomidine hydrochloride is generally tolerated up to 200 mcg/kg (10x the low dose). At 400 mcg/kg for 3 days, microscopic myocardial necrosis has been observed in some cases.
Human Safety Warning
Dormosedan is not for use in horses intended for human consumption. Not for human use. Keep this product out of reach of children.
Precautions
- Use caution in horses under stress or with liver, kidney, cardiovascular, or respiratory disease.
- Protect sedated horses from extreme temperatures.
- Allow 5 minutes of rest before administration and 10–15 minutes afterward for best response.
- Avoid combining with other sedatives unless directed by a veterinarian, as Dormosedan is a potent α2-agonist and may cause additive effects.
- Withhold food and water until sedation wears off completely.
Contraindications
- Do not use in horses with AV or SA block, coronary insufficiency, cerebrovascular disease, or chronic renal failure.
- Do not administer intravenous potentiated sulfonamides to sedated horses—this may cause fatal arrhythmias.
Possible Side Effects
- Bradycardia and hypertension may occur shortly after injection.
- Common effects include sweating, salivation, piloerection, mild tremors, and penis prolapse.
- Partial AV and SA blocks, decreased heart rate, and respiratory rate may also be observed.
- Head lowering can cause nasal discharge or facial swelling—elevate the head to minimize this.
- Incoordination may occur for the first few minutes after administration.
- Urination is commonly observed during the recovery period (45–60 minutes post-treatment).
FAQ
Tell your veterinarian if you're planning on breeding your horse or if your mare is pregnant or lactating. Consult with your veterinarian if your horse is currently using any sedatives or analgesics. Let your veterinarian know if your horse has a hypersensitivity to detomidine hydrochloride or other sedatives or analgesics.
Dormosedan should be administered intramuscularly or intravenously. Syringe is not included. Follow your veterinarian's instructions exactly as directed. Before administration, careful consideration should be given to horses approaching or in endotoxic or traumatic shock, to horses with advanced liver or kidney disease, or to horses under stress from extreme heat, cold, fatigue, or high altitude. Protect treated horses from temperature extremes. Some horses, although apparently deeply sedated, may still respond to external stimuli. Routine safety measures should be employed to protect practitioners and handlers. Allowing the horse to stand quietly for 5 minutes before administration and for 10-15 minutes after injection may improve the response to Dormosedan.
Occasional reports of anaphylactic-like reactions have been received, including 1 or more of the following: urticarial (hives), skin plaques, dyspnea, edema (swelling) of the upper airways, trembling, and recumbency (leaning/lying down). Reports of mild adverse reactions have resolved uneventfully without treatment. Severe adverse reactions should be treated symptomatically. Horses treated with Dormosedan exhibit hypertension. Bradycardia (slow heart action) routinely occurs 1 minute after injection. The relationship between hypertension and bradycardia is consistent with an adaptive baroreceptor response to the increased pressure and inconsistent with a primary drug-induced bradycardia. Piloerection (bristling of hairs), sweating, salivation, and slight muscle tremors are frequently seen after administration. Partial transient penis prolapse may be seen. Urination typically occurs during recovery about 45-60 minutes post treatment, depending on dosage. Incoordination or staggering is usually seen only during the first 3-5 minutes after injection, until animals have secured a firm footing. Because of continued lowering of the head during sedation, mucus discharges from the nose and, occasionally, edema of the head and face may be seen. Holding the head in a slightly elevated position generally prevents these effects.
Dormosedan (detomidine hydrochloride) is tolerated in horses at up to 200 mcg/kg of body weight (10 times the low dosage and 5 times the high dosage). In safety studies, detomidine hydrochloride at 400 mcg/kg of body weight administered daily for 3 consecutive days produced microscopic foci of myocardial necrosis in 1 of 8 horses.
Protect treated horses from temperature extremes. Food and water should be withheld until the sedative effect of Dormosedan has worn off.
Dormosedan is a potent α2-agonist, and extreme caution should be exercised in its use with other sedative or analgesic drugs for they may produce additive effects. The use of epinephrine should be avoided since epinephrine may potentiate the effects of α2-agonists.
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