Injectable Anesthetics

Atropine

Drug Class: Anticholinergic

When to use: To increase heart rate in cases of severe bradycardia and cardiac emergencies

Glycopyrolate

Drug Class: Anticholinergic

When to use: In patients with sinus bradycardia or hypersialism

Acepromazine

Drug Class: Phenothiazine (tranquilizer)

When to use: Adjunct use as an anxiolytic agent before surgery to control fractious patients

Diazepam

Drug Class: Benzodiazepine

When to use: Pre-medication for anxiolytic and muscle relaxant effects in nervous patients; or in patients in status epilepticus

Midazolam

Drug Class: Benzodiazepine

When to use: As a more potent premedication anxiolytic than diazepam in a multimodal analgesia protocol

Zolazepam/Telazol

Drug Class: Benzodiazepine/ Tranquilizer

When to use: Used adjunct with ketamine for muscle relaxant effect

Flumazenil

Drug Class: Benzodiazepine Antagonist

When to use: In rare cases of a benzos overdose or dangerous effects in pregnant patients

Xylazine

Drug Class: Alpha 2 Adrenergic Agonist

When to use: Used as a premedication for short term sedation in minor equine procedures

Dexmedetomidine

Drug Class; Alpha 2 Adrenergic Agonist

When to use: Given to a canine patient receiving hip radiographs

Tolazoline

Drug Class: Alpha 2 Antagonist

When to use; Horses experiencing severe reactions to xylazine (hypotension, respiratory depression, etc.)

Yohimbine

Drug Class: Alpha 2 Antagonist

When to use: To reverse severe effects of xylazine in dogs

Atipamezole

Drug: Alpha 2 Antagonist

When to use: To reverse sedation of a patient who has received dexmedetomidine

Morphine

Drug Class: Opioid

When to use: As part of a multimodal analgesic protocol to provide profound analgesia

Hydromorphone/Oxymorphone

Drug Class: Opioid

When to use: As an alternative to morphine to elicit less severe AE

Fentanyl

Drug Class: Opioid

When to use: CRI used during painful procedure for continued analgesia

Buprenorphine

Drug Class: Opioid

When to use: Buccal administration in cats for moderate post operative analgesia

Butorphanol

Drug Class: Opioid

When to use: Can reverse severe effects of full mu opiates while maintaining analgesic effects

Naloxone

Drug Class: Opioid Antagonist

When to use: Reversal of opioid agonist post operatively

Carprofen

Drug Class: NSAID

When to use: For reducing inflammation in patients with osteoarthritis

Meloxicam

Drug Class: NSAID

When to use: Given post operatively for pain and inflammation reducion

Robenacoxib

Drug Class: NSAID

When to use: Anti-inflammatory given to feline patients post operatively for up to 3 days

Maropintant

Drug Class: Antiemetic

When to use: To treat nausea/vomiting associated with opioids

Pentobarbital

Drug Class: Barbiturate

When to use: To stop epileptic activity(movement); for humane and rapid euthanasia

Propofol

Drug Class: Injectable Anesthetic (induction agent)

When to use: For rapid and short acting induction before endotracheal intubation

Etomidate

Drug Class: Injectable Anesthetic

When to use: As an alternative to propofol for patients with cardiac dysfunction

Alfaxalone

Drug Class: Injectable Anesthetic

When to use; Provides rapid induction and muscle relaxation

Ketamine

Drug Class: Dissociative Anesthetic

When to use: To immobilize a fractious cat

Tiletamine

Drug Class: Injectable Anesthetic/Tranquilizer

Do not use: in patients with ASA 3 status or above

Guafenesin

Drug Class: Muscle Relaxant

When to use: Adjunct anesthetic in horses for calming muscle tone prior to a procedure