This article was co-authored by Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD. Dr. Lauren Baker is a Veterinarian and Assistant Scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With over 10 years in veterinary medicine, she specializes in the concept of “one health,” which uses insights from veterinary medicine to help human medical research. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, an MS in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Acepromazine is a type of tranquilizer that can be used to calm down excited or anxious animals. If your dog needs acepromazine, it is easily obtainable from a number of sources. You do need a prescription to buy it, however, so your first stop will be to the vet. Decide if you want to buy the prescription in person or online. While you may be able to get the prescription filled the same day if you do it in person, it could be cheaper to buy it online. Weigh your options, and buy from the place that is most convenient for you.
Steps
Getting Your Dog a Prescription
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1Record your dog’s symptoms. Your vet is more likely to prescribe acepromazine if you provide evidence that your dog needs it. Write down occasions when your dog is anxious, boisterous, or unruly. Note where the dog is, what they are doing, and what time of day it is. Record when your dog:
- Is anxious during travel or storms
- Becomes motion sick during travel
- Refuses to stay still during grooming
- Shows aggression around strangers
- Struggles with itching and scratching
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2Take your dog to the vet. Explain to your vet the reasons for your appointment, and ask them if acepromazine is right for your dog. Show them the record of symptoms that you took down. Understand that your vet may recommend against acepromazine or they may suggest another medication. Always follow your vet’s advice.Advertisement
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3Ask for a generic prescription. The brand name for acepromazine is PromAce, but there are many generic versions available on the market.[1] Generic drugs are cheaper than brand name products, and your dog may react well to a generic version. Ask your vet if a generic version of acepromazine is right for your dog.
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4Avoid using Acepromazine for certain dogs. Acepromazine is not recommended for all dogs. Older dogs or those suffering from heart conditions or seizures should not take it. Talk to your vet about your pet's medical history to make sure Acepromazine is right for them.
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5Identify the side effects. While you may be anxious to ease your dog’s anxiety, you should understand that there are side effects to acepromazine. Before you buy the medicine, be sure that you are comfortable with these risks. These side effects include:[2]
- Aggression or getting startled easily
- Low blood pressure
- Low body temperature
- Pink urine
Filling the Prescription in Person
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1Purchase acepromazine your vet's office. Most vets keep a supply of animal medications in the office. While acepromazine is available as an injection, your vet will probably sell you the tablets as these are easier to give your animal at home.
- Vets may mark up the price of the tablets by charging a dispensing fee. They are generally a more expensive option for buying pet medications, although they are the most convenient option for many people. If you need acepromazine immediately for your dog, the vet may be the only place where you can get it.[3]
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2Visit a pharmacy. Some pharmacies carry medications for pets as well as for humans. Call your local pharmacy to see if they carry pet medications. They may be able to order acepromazine for you, even if they do not carry it. Your vet may also be able to call in the prescription for you.[4]
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3Check out a store or retailer. There are many large retailers and supermarkets that stock pet medications at their pharmacies. You might have luck checking if you can buy acepromazine from them. Some stores that stock pet medications include:
- Target
- Kroger
- RiteAid
- Walgreens[5]
Ordering Safely Online
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1Find a reputable online pharmacy. You can buy pet prescriptions online; these are usually cheaper than veterinary pharmacies. Use a website that has been certified as a Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites.[6] You may also want to check that the website is registered with its local State Board of Pharmacies. Some reputable websites include:
- 1-800-PetMeds
- Drs. Foster & Smith
- KV VetSupply
- PetCareRx
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2Enter the prescription information. You will be responsible for filling all of the information regarding the prescription into the website, including dosage size. Fill out the information exactly as it appears on the prescription given to you by your vet.
- Acepromazine typically comes in 10 mg or 25 mg tablets. Make sure you choose the correct dosage size when buying online.[7]
- Some online retailers sell the tablets in bulk while others will sell it to you by the pill. You should make sure that you receive the correct number of tablets, as indicated by your vet.
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3Confirm the order. You will be taken to a screen where you will fill in your shipping and billing information. At this point, you will have to wait until your pills arrive. How long it takes for them to arrive depends on which store you buy them at, how many they have in stock, and what type of shipping you paid for.
- While acepromazine is usually not needed for emergency use, if you need the pills right away, such as for a long car trip, you should fill the prescription in a physical pharmacy.
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4Watch out for scams. Many online pharmacies will try to attract customers with low prices, but they may sell expired, counterfeit, or illegal medications. When you are shopping, keep an eye out for the following warning signs:
- The pharmacy does not require a prescription. Buying acepromazine without a prescription is illegal.
- The website does not list its contact information, such as its phone number or physical address.
- The prices are dramatically lower than what you would buy at other pharmacies.
- The medication that they ship you is not labeled as acepromazine.
Warnings
- Do not attempt to buy acepromazine without a prescription. This is illegal.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Some vets may be hesitant to write you a prescription, as they want you to purchase the medication from them. Be aware that in many places, they are required by law to give you a written prescription if you ask for it. Check your local laws to know your rights.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Acepromazine does not necessarily alleviate a dog's fear and anxiety. It simply keeps the dog from physically reacting to those emotions. Provide other types of comfort to your dog during stressful situations, such as physical petting, providing favorite toys and offering treats.[9]⧼thumbs_response⧽
- People in the US cannot order prescriptions from Canada for their dog, as this is illegal.[10]⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/vet/promace-tablets.html
- ↑ https://www.vetinfo.com/side-effects-cepromazine-for-dogs.html
- ↑ http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/05/where-is-the-best-place-to-get-medication-for-my-pet/index.htm
- ↑ https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/FAQs/Pages/Prescriptions-and-Pharmacies-Pet-Owner-FAQs.aspx
- ↑ http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/05/where-is-the-best-place-to-get-medication-for-my-pet/index.htm
- ↑ http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/05/where-is-the-best-place-to-get-medication-for-my-pet/index.htm
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/vet/acepromazine-maleate-tablets.html
- ↑ https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/FAQs/Pages/Prescriptions-and-Pharmacies-Pet-Owner-FAQs.aspx
- ↑ http://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/why-you-shouldnt-use-acepromazine-for-cats-and-dogs
About This Article
To get acepromazine for your dog, go to the vet to ask for a prescription. You should keep a detailed record of your dog’s symptoms, which may include anxiety during storms, motion sickness, aggression around strangers, or refusing to sit still during grooming. Your vet will need as much information as possible to decide if the drug is a good option for your dog. Describe your dog’s symptoms to your vet, and ask them if the drug is safe for your dog, since it might be dangerous for dogs with certain medical conditions. Once you have a prescription, you can either fill it at your vet’s office, at certain pharmacies, or online. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, like how to recognize and treat the possible side effects of acepromazine, keep reading!
