Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy

Oral and Injectable Pre-Euthanasia Sedatives/Anesthetics for Dogs and Cats

Compiled in 2017 by Dr. Kathleen Cooney, U.S. CAETA instructor

Disclaimer: These protocols are meant to provide options for sedation or anesthesia, ranging from mild to deep planes of sleep. Intraorgan injections are only permissible during periods of heavy sedation or anesthesia wherein the animal is pain-free and unaware the injection is occurring. When in doubt, CAETA recommends more drug be given to ensure a pain-free death. Giving sedative or anesthetic drugs to frail and compromised animals can result in adverse reactions or death itself. Drug and drug combinations can be administered intramuscular(IM) or subcutaneous (SQ) unless otherwise specified. Oral drugs may not elicite the desired depth of sleep every time. Many factors affect rate of absorption and uptake. Higher doses may be given initially or when it becomes clear the pet requires more.

Dr. Cooney’s Injectable Protocols (IM and SQ)

Dogs Sedation protocol (SQ preferred) • Dexmedetomidine (0.5mg/ml) = 0.1 ml per 10# minus 0.1ml (can decrease total by 0.2mls over 50# bw) [can substitute with Xylazine (100mg/ml) = 0.1ml per 10#] • Nalbuphine (20mg/ml) = 0.1 ml per 10# or Butorphanol (10mg/ml) = 0.1 ml per 10# • Acepromazine (10mg/ml) = 0.05 ml per 10#

Anesthesia protocol • Telazol® (100mg/ml) = 0.1 ml per 10# • Acepromazine (10mg/ml) = 0.1 ml per 10# • Xylazine (100mg/ml) = 0.025 ml per 10#

Cats Anesthesia protocol • Telazol®* (100mg/ml) = 0.15 ml for 2-5# 0.25 ml for 5-10# 0.3 ml for 10+# • Acepromazine (10mg/ml) = 0.1 ml for all BW

Anesthesia protocol • Alfaxalone (10mg/ml) = 1.1 -1.5ml for most cats • Nalbuphine (20mg/ml) = 0.2ml for all BW • Acepromazine (10mg/ml)=0.1ml for all BW

BW = body weight # = pounds mg = milligram ml = milliliter

Various Other Injectable Protocols Shared by Veterinary Colleagues, compiled in 2016

Dogs

1. Acepromazine 0.2mls/10# Ketamine 0.5mls/10# Midazolam 0.14mls/10#

2. Telazol 0.1ml/10# Acepromazine 0.5ml (if <35#) up to 2ml (if >90#) Atropine – equal to acepromazine Xylazine (100mg/ml) 0.5ml/100#

3. Telazol 0.03ml/1# plus equal part acepromazine

4. Butorphanol 0.2mg/1# with acepromazine 0.1mg/1#

5. Butorphanol 0.05ml/1# and acepromazine 0.025ml/1#

Cats

1. Telazol 0.03ml/1# plus equal part acepromazine SQ

2. Butorphanol 0.05ml/1# and acepromazine 0.025ml/1#

3. Telazol 0.15ml/10# Acepromazine 0.3-0.5ml per cat Atropine - equal dose to acepromazine

4. Acepromazine – just a touch Ketamine 0.5mls/20# Midazolam 0.5mls/20#

5. 0.4mg/1# butorphanol with 0.2-0.3ml acepromazine

6. 0.3ml/10# Telazol (Telazol reconstituted with 2.5ml acepromazine and 2.5ml butorphanol (10mg/ml))

Oral Pre-Euthanasia Sedatives/Anesthetics Compiled by Dr. Kathleen Cooney from various sources, 2016

The following pharmaceuticals can be used alone or in combination with others for greater effect.

Cats

Lorazepam 0.25-0.5mg per cat (variable response)

Alprazolam 0.25-0.5mg per cat (variable response)

Trazodone 100mg (variable response)

Buprenorphine 0.3ml per cat

Telazol 10mg/kg (plus ace if possible at 2.2mg/kg)

Phenobarbital 10mg/kg

Methadone 0.5mg/kg

Gabapentin 100-150mg per cat

Pentobarbital 60mg/kg

Dogs

Dormosedan – 1 tube for 50 dogs 0.35mg/m2 - low 0.7mg/m2 - average 50# dog ~ 0.1ml (syringe dial gives 0.25ml as the lowest amount) Cheek pouch, lick off toy

Diazepam 2.2mg/kg (use with caution, can be unpredictable)

Gabapentin 60mg/kg

Pentobarbital 25-40mg/kg (85mg/kg is considered a fatal dose)

Trazodone < 20lb = 50mg, 20-50lbs = 100mg, > 50 lbs = 200mg, > 100 lbs = 300mg Can increase by 25mg every 30 minutes if needed

Telazol and ace T 10-20mg/kg, A 2.2mg/kg

Phenobarbital 10mg/kg

Methadone 0.5mg/kg

*All responses variable and there are no guarantees to efficacy every time