ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/acepromazine
US brand names:PromAce, Atravet
Acepromazine is dosed at 0.05–0.25 mg/kg IM not stated in source in ball pythons, per Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.234 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.5 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Reptiles.a). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Blocks dopamine D2 receptors in the CNS, producing sedation and anxiolysis. Also has alpha-1 adrenergic blocking properties causing vasodilation.
Hypotension (alpha blockade) — avoid in hypovolemic patients. DO NOT use in giant breeds (boxers extremely sensitive — exaggerated hypotension). No analgesic effect. Lowers seizure threshold. Not reversible.
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 17 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat (Domestic) | IM | 0.05–0.1 mg/kg | Single dose | Strong | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.33 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.2, Acepromazine monograph spanning p.2-6; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Dog (Domestic) | IM | 0.01–0.05 mg/kg | Single dose | Strong | Allerton F, ed. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary Part A: Canine and Feline. 10th ed. BSAVA; 2020. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.33 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.2, Acepromazine monograph spanning p.2-6; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, ; Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, — CEILING: Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, corpus p.30 — "Do not exceed 3 mg total in dogs." |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Species references:All African Pygmy Hedgehog drugsAll Ball Python drugsAll Bearded Dragon drugsAll Blue-tongue Skink drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Chinchilla drugsAll Corn Snake drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Dwarf Hamster drugsAll Ferret drugsAll Guinea Pig drugsAll Mouse drugsAll Pet Rat drugsAll Prairie Dog drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugsAll Russian Tortoise drugsAll Syrian Hamster drugs