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Reducing Vomiting with Acepromazine for Cats

Cats > Medicine > Reducing Vomiting with Acepromazine for Cats

also see Cat Vomiting

Acepromazine for cats is a tranquilizer and is often prescribed for travel and related anxiety. This drug is anti-emetic, so it's also prescribed to stop vomiting. It helps regulate the heart rate, controls muscle spasms, prevents motion sickness and can give short term relief from scratching and itching. Many anti-psychotic and antihistamine drugs contain phenothiazine, which is the family of compounds that acepromazine belongs to.

Acepromazine, commonly known as ace, lowers the dopamine levels of your cat. It alters the brain’s chemical makeup and thus changes your pet’s behavior. It's available only by prescription in pill form, and as an injectable solution.

Motion Sickness in Your Cat

Your cat is likely to associate travel with a visit to the vet. When she understands that she has to travel with you, an anxiety response is triggered in her. She will get stressed and the confinement in the car does not help.
The stress combined with the movement of the car causes motion sickness. Stomach upsets, vomiting and excessive salivation are all outcomes of motion sickness.
Keeping your cat calm and acclimatizing her helps reduce the trauma of vomiting. Place her carrier in the centre of your car, as this will reduce her nausea. Keeping her stomach empty also helps.
If motion sickness and vomiting are a problem with your cat, then a drug like acepromazine can relieve her tremendously.

When your cat has taken ace, she will be sedated for many hours. Sedation can lead to her becoming disoriented and seriously affect her ability to maintain balance. Place her in a safe carrier or cage so that she does not accidentally hurt herself.

Ace is a powerful drug, so it can cause side effects which you should be prepared for.

Side Effects

Lethargy
Uncoordinated movements
Slack eyes
Drop in blood pressure
Drop in body temperature
Slower heart rate
Discoloration of urine
Constipation
Pale gums

Precautions

Sometimes Ace can produce the opposite reaction in your cat. Instead of getting sedated, she may become hyperactive and excitable. She can even turn aggressive.
Use acepromazine with caution in old cats, very young cats or pregnant and lactating cats.
If your cat has a liver or heart problem avoid the use of ace.
In case your cat is prone to seizures or epilepsy, do not administer ace.
If you plan to take your cat to a place where the temperatures may be extreme, then try a different sedative, as ace hampers your cat’s ability to regulate her body temperature.
Do not give ace if your cat is anemic or dehydrated.
Certain breeds are known to develop complications when administered ace. Usually cats with short noses and flat faces, such as Persians and Himalayans, are prone to this adverse reaction.
Acepromazine is not recommended for air travel.

With all drugs, adequate knowledge helps in making informed decisions. Using acepromazine in the correct circumstances can ensure that you and your cat travel without stress, tension and bodily discomfort.