What Is Dexmedetomidine?
Dexmedetomidine (Dexased, Dexdomitor, Dexmedesed, Sileo) is a medicine that’s FDA-approved for dogs and cats as a sedative. Your veterinarian can give it to help calm your pet before a minor surgery or a regular exam at the vet’s office. Your vet might also prescribe dexmedetomidine gel you can give your dog if they have serious panic attacks when they hear loud noises like fireworks or storms. It’s usually not prescribed for dogs with general anxiety. Dexmedetomidine gel is available as a prescription medicine from your veterinarian.
Dexmedetomidine also helps with pain in dogs and cats.
Your vet might also give your cat dexmedetomidine by mouth if they swallowed something and need to vomit. Never give dexmedetomidine gel to your cat.
How Is Dexmedetomidine Used?
Dexmedetomidine is usually given as a shot by your vet in their office to sedate your dog or cat to calm them down before an exam or minor surgery. Once your vet gives them the shot, they’ll become sleepy in about 5 to 15 minutes and will stay calmer – or sedated – for between 2 and 3 hours. Your vet can give them a shot of atipamezole (Antisedan) to reverse the sedation.
You can also give your dog (but not cat) a gel form of dexmedetomidine at home. You put it inside their cheeks so their gums can absorb the medicine. Don’t give the gel with food or treats because it won’t work if your dog swallows it.
Your veterinarian will tell you how and when to give the medicine, but if you’re using it to help keep your dog calm around loud noises, try to give it 30 to 60 minutes before you expect the noise, or as soon as you can. You can wait 2 hours and give them another dose if they need it, but don’t give more than 5 doses in 10 hours.
Be sure you wear latex gloves when you give your dog dexmedetomidine gel. And don’t handle it if you’re pregnant.
Always follow your veterinarian’s directions for giving your pet medicines. Tell them about any medicines, vitamins, supplements, or herbal therapies you give your dog or cat. Talk to your veterinarian before stopping any pet medicines.
What Are the Benefits of Dexmedetomidine?
There are many benefits of dexmedetomidine:
- It can work as fast as 5 to 15 minutes for sedation.
- It reduces how much general anesthesia your pet needs when your vet gives it before surgery.
- Your vet can reverse the sedation, if necessary.
What Follow-Up Is Required?
If your vet gives your pet dexmedetomidine before surgery, they’ll do a full work-up before to check their blood and urine. They’ll also watch your pet’s heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, blood oxygen levels, and temperature after they give your pet dexmedetomidine. If your pet has any side effects, your vet should check their bloodwork again right away.
If you’re giving your dog dexmedetomidine gel at home, you should watch them for side effects.
Does Dexmedetomidine Have Warnings or Side Effects?
Don’t give your dog dexmedetomidine gel if they’re less than 16 weeks old, or if they have gum or tooth disease. To make sure you don’t give your dog an overdose of dexmedetomidine, wait at least 2 hours between doses. And don’t give your dog any food, treats, or water for 15 minutes after giving dexmedetomidine gel because it won’t work if your dog swallows it.
Never give your cat dexmedetomidine gel.
Side effects might include:
- Slow heart rate
- Muscle shakes
- High blood pressure
- Dry eyes
- Trouble breathing
- Lower temperature
- Vomiting
- Rise in blood sugar
- Pale gums
If you notice rare side effects – like your dog’s sedation lasts longer than normal, they’re more hyper than usual, or they’re difficult to handle, especially if there’s a loud noise – stop giving them dexmedetomidine and contact your veterinarian.
You shouldn’t give dexmedetomidine to pets in shock, or if they’re stressed from heat, cold, or fatigue. And be careful when giving it to pets that are breeding, pregnant, or nursing.
Only your vet can give your pet a shot of dexmedetomidine, and they’ll give them a full work-up beforehand. Your vet won’t give them the shot if your pet is allergic, has blood pressure issues, or problems with their lungs, heart, liver, or kidneys.
If you think your pet is having a serious side effect, call your veterinary clinic right away. If it is outside of regular office hours, contact a local emergency veterinary hospital or an animal poison control center. Note that fees may apply for emergency consultation.
You can reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.
Does Dexmedetomidine Interact With Other Medicines (Drug Interactions)?
Using multiple medicines can sometimes change how your pet’s medicines work or increase your pet’s risk of serious side effects. Always tell your veterinarian about any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements your pet takes.
Before giving dexmedetomidine gel to your dog, tell your vet if they take:
Acepromazine. Acepromazine is another sedative your vet can give dogs and cats. But if your pet takes acepromazine with dexmedetomidine, the meds can cause too much sedation. Your vet will need to prescribe lower doses of each medication to prevent your pet from being sedated too long or deeply.
Benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are sedatives used in dogs for anxiety, to relax muscles, and to treat seizures and behavioral problems. They’re also used to help your cat stop spraying. Because they’re both sedatives, giving dexmedetomidine with a benzodiazepine can cause too much sedation. Your vet will need to prescribe lower doses of each medication to prevent your pet from being sedated too long or too deeply.
Blood pressure medicines. Medicines like amlodipine (Amodip, Copalia, Norvasc), benazepril (Apex, Fortekor, Lotensin) enalapril (Enacard, Glioten, Vasotec), and telmisartan (Semintra) are used to treat high blood pressure in cats and dogs. If your pet is already taking a blood pressure medication, giving them dexmedetomidine could lower their blood pressure too much, so your vet may need to alter the dose of both medications.
Calcium channel blockers. Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR, Tiazac) and verapamil are used to treat certain heart conditions like irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) in dogs and cats. If your pet takes dexmedetomidine and a calcium channel blocker together, it could cause an abnormal or slow heart rate.
Digoxin. Digoxin (Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin, Toloxin) is a medicine used to treat congestive heart failure and other heart problems in dogs and cats. If they take it with dexmedetomidine, digoxin can cause a slower-than-normal heart rate, so be sure to tell your veterinarian if your pet is taking dexmedetomidine.
Opioids. Opioids are medicines used to help relieve pain and to sedate dogs and cats. Using opioids like morphine or tramadol with dexmedetomidine can cause too much sedation and can also affect your pet’s breathing. Your vet may need to adjust the dosage so your cat or dog can take the medications safely.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with dexmedetomidine. Always check with your veterinarian.
Are There Safety Concerns for Pet Owners?
Keep dexmedetomidine out of the reach of children. Wear latex or nitrile gloves when you give your dog dexmedetomidine gel, and wash your hands afterward. Don’t touch dexmedetomidine gel if you’re allergic to it, have heart disease, or are pregnant.
What if My Pet Takes Too Much, Overdoses, or Misses a Dose?
If you think your dog has gotten too much dexmedetomidine gel than prescribed, call your veterinarian or veterinary emergency clinic right away.
Signs of an overdose may include:
- Sedation
- Involuntary urination
- Vomiting
- Loss of balance
- Weakness
- Fainting because of a slow heart rate (bradycardia)
Because you typically give your dog dexmedetomidine gel occasionally before something like a storm or fireworks, you likely won’t miss a dose. Just don’t double their dose when you do give it to your dog.
Never give a cat dexmedetomidine gel.
How Do I Store Dexmedetomidine?
You should store dexmedetomidine gel at room temperature and throw away any gel you don’t use after 28 days. Store compounded dexmedetomidine according to the compounding pharmacy’s recommendations.
