Administering Dormosedan gel

[Wheresthehoofpick]

Hi. After long hellish Coronavirus related farrier saga I need to give my horse dormosedan gel tomorrow for the first time to get his backs done. ?

Any tips on getting it under his tongue. I've watched the online tutorial which makes it look easy but I am nervous about not getting it in the right place.

 

[ycbm]

My experience with oral sedatives is that it doesn't need to go under the tongue it will work on the gums. Just put it on your finger and rub it on his gums top and bottom. I've recently had to use a tube on my horse to get him to stand still for a gun It worked fine, but get the timing right, it takes time to work.

At £40 a tube you don't want to risk him spitting it out!

.

 

[SOS]

It’s intramucosal and most of the mouth is mucous membrane so don’t worry too much. The main aim is not to let the horse swallow it. I personally apply it to my horses gums on their outer cheek but most are fine with it under their tongue. Just approach the horse as if you are putting a bridle/bit in their mouth, ask them to open, insert the syringe as you would the bit but then slip under the tongue and dose.

Remember it must be given before the horse gets into a heightened state or anxious as it will have reduced effect. And never trust a sedated horse, they can fade in and out of how sedated they are, particularly when you are responsible for a human working on their feet.

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

Oh god. I am so sorry. How awful.

That's good to know. He is a total lightweight and almost fell over on the usual dose of IV sedative (yes to be shod last time - it's been unbelievable) So hopefully I have a bit of leeway if it doesn't all go in

I honestly don't think he needs it but this farrier is great but won't do him without it and I am out of options.

 

[Michen]

Just be warned. Domesedon took about an hour and a half to work on my Connie. Once it did it was very effective for clipping but it takes much longer on some than the advised time. Same with sedalin for another Connie.

 

[Patterdale]

Watch it, it strengthens over time and nearly knocked my Connie out..! It’s strong stuff!

 

[Nari]

My experience with oral sedatives is that it doesn't need to go under the tongue it will work on the gums. Just put it on your finger and rub it on his gums top and bottom. I've recently had to use a tube on my horse to get him to stand still for a gun It worked fine, but get the timing right, it takes time to work.

At £40 a tube you don't want to risk him spitting it out!

.

This, but please make sure you have two pairs of latex gloves on because if you get it on your skin it will absorb through that and sedate you too! And like others have said I found it took a bit longer than the packaging says before it was fully effective.

Ycbm I'm sorry you had to do that and I hope you're ok.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

Mine has domosedan yearly for his jabs and teeth as he's needle shy, also won't let me look in his mouth or have a wormed straight from the tube. I put a bridle on with rubber but rings, push one bit ring into his mouth so he chomps which distracts him briefly, then I very quickly whack it under his tongue before he twigs & throws his toys & goes up. I also have to wear rubber gloves occasionally so he doesn't think they're a sign something is going on lol . . . clever Welshie!

 

[[131452]]

Bit late for now but for future use you could try a worming bit (Google it). A friend used one successfully with a horse that likes to rear.
You do need to get at lest a good part of the Domosedan under the tongue as that's where the bigger blood vessels are but main thing is like others said is to not let him swallow it.
If you can worm him with a syringe, you will be fine , just think of it as worming and aim it under the tongue.
My old boy had to be sedated to travel and I used to just do it very quickly and before he even noticed anything.
I like the suggestion above of using the rubber biscuit in the mouth to distract him if need be.

Make sure he's calm and relaxed before hand as otherwise the adrenaline in his system over rides it.

I never wore gloves with it, I was always so stressed out when he needed it that I guess i was hoping it might chill me out a bit too. ? Don't do what I do though! ?

 

[Mrs G]

If you can give your horse wormer with a syringe ok you shouldn’t have to much problem with domosedan, you just point the syringe under the tongue instead of at the back of the mouth. But def wear gloves and I too have found it takes longer to take effect than it says on the instructions, it also makes my lad sweat buckets so have a fleece/cooler rug ready!

 

[Griffin]

My top tips:
-Wear gloves!
-Aim under the tongue but it's not essential if a bit misses.
-Leave them in a quiet stable with no water or food.
-Keep an eye them as unobtrusively as you can, it is strong stuff.

It takes about 30-40 minutes to work on my horse. You will know when it starts to wear off because they start to wee (gallons) and may sweat a bit. Keep an eye on them and don't let them eat or drink until they are properly awake. My horse seems to sort of 'snap awake' if that makes sense.

 

[Annagain]

As others have said, if you can worm him, you'll be fine. It's actually quite a small syringe so easier to handle than a wormer and less of the drug to get to the right place. Getting it under the tongue isn't too hard at all - if you slide it into the side of his mouth, behind his bottom teeth as close to the gum as you can and point it downwards (towards his chin) and forwards (towards his front teeth), you should feel when you're beneath the tongue fairly easily (you can pull his lips apart to get a better look)- push it in a bit further and you'll definitely be under the tongue. Mine takes about 30mins to go under and is then zonked for ages. It's good stuff.

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

Thanks everyone. He was out for the count after 30 mins and is still asleep 2 hrs later!

TBF he was half asleep when I gave it to him.

Thanks so much for the tips. I felt much more confident giving it to him.

This whole shoeing fandango is a new party trick. He had a fright when I couldn't be there because of the social distancing policy and it has been such a pain ever since.

Previously he was fine. Just need to convince him and the new farrier.