Clipping and sedation

[Kenzo]

Injection or an oral type?

Not for a full clip baring in mind but will be for a horse that will not tolorate clippers at all, therefore needs sedating not just taking the edge off.

Vet mentioned about a new gel last time I spoke to him that I could give but I was thinking it would make more sense to have the vet there to sedate him, not sure a sedelin type gel would really work to be honest.

Any recomendations/feed back much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[chrissyc]

My boy has an injection each and every time for clipping, best for all concerned.

They did mention a new gel which they put under the tongue but you then have to wait i think around 45 mins for it to take effect and I haven't time to wait (hols for vets visit out from work etc) so I stick with the tried and tested method safest for all involved tbh

 

[Kenzo]

Thanks Chrissyc, thats helpful to know, something I'd was also thinking too, don't mind waiting for it to take effect but wondered if it was as effective etc and if it was something the vet would let me give him also, I take it this new gel the vet has administer?

 

[Tempi]

My mare has to have full sedation - i wouldnt risk trying a gel as she goes totally nuts when clippers are near her. She has to be sedated before i even get the clippers out and set up as otherwise the vet cant get near her to sedate her. Sedation is just the safer option IMO

 

[peanut]

not sure a sedelin type gel would really work to be honest.

Sedalin had no effect whatsoever on my horse for clipping. It has to be injection every time unfortunately.

 

[chrissyc]

yes the vet still has to give this new one , its just a new format I guess for those horses that hate the needle too was unsure as to wether it would be as effective and tbh have now got dosage down to a tee with my boy x glad to be of help

 

[Kenzo]

My mare has to have full sedation - i wouldnt risk trying a gel as she goes totally nuts when clippers are near her. She has to be sedated before i even get the clippers out and set up as otherwise the vet cant get near her to sedate her. Sedation is just the safer option IMO

Thanks Tempi.

You’ve confirmed my original thoughts.

Had a very brief discussion with the vet about it last time he came about something else and I mentioned about sedating this horse to have him clipped but I didn’t go in to huge detail about how he reacts (as it was while he was packing away) but he happened to mention this new oral gel that is good for nervous horses when being clipping etc but like I was thinking, there’s nervous and there nervous, I’d rather just have him done properly so he’s not really aware of things, so it can be done in a nice, calm and safe manor.

 

[Kenzo]

Sedalin had no effect whatsoever on my horse for clipping. It has to be injection every time unfortunately.

Arr right, thank you Martha, think it will be the same case here as well.

 

[cm2581]

Maybe try your horse with a little sedalin to see if he reacts favourably of not. You can do this without a vet present. Some horses are borderline knocked out with it and others show no sedation at all!! If it does work it will be much cheaper. One syringe, around the £20 mark, should do a few clips as well IF it works!

 

[nullarbor]

The new gel is called domosedan gel and contains detomidine which is likely what your vet injects your horse with anyway. It has worked very well in my experience with horses that are bad to clip, much better than sedalin (it contains a much stronger sedative) but it is not as effective as getting the vet to sedate the horse. You need to buy it from the vet but you can give it yourself, it goes under the tongue, and just allow it 45mins to take effect before attempting to start clipping so it has full effect. Good luck!!

 

[Holidays_are_coming]

My friend used this new gel on her horse as he goes a little nutts when clipped, and he behaved just like the vet had sedated him, after an hr he still had his head on the floor!!! It might be worth a go!!

 

[maggiesmum]

Yes, my vet has just recommended I try the new gel, it's the same thing that they inject them with so is reported to much better than sedalin.

 

[Kenzo]

Thank you guys, I'll have word with him and give it a go then, must be the one he was on about, if it's something I can give to him myself too that would be much easier....and cheaper.

Many Thanks.

 

[Keflavik]

I think that there has been a previous thread about Domosedan Gel, but a few pointers:

- The gel probably results in more reliable sedation than acepromazine products ( eg Sedalin) BUT remember that NO sedative is entirely reliable & you can still get hurt!
- When horses are sedated via injection by the vet, they are frequently given a sedative AND an opioid drug which works synergistically with the sedative to enhance the effect of the sedative.
- Domosedan Gel has to be ADMINISTERED UNDER THE TONGUE unlike other oral preparations. Important that the horse will tolerate this type of dosing AND that the full calculated dose is administered.
- As stated before, following administration of the gel - the horse MUST be left as unstimulated as possible for 30-45 minutes to work effectively, so a quiet environment and patience is required!
- Domosedan Gel is a POM medicine so can only be dispensed by your vet or via prescription from your vet. It is dispensed in a form for owners to administer, however whether the vet agrees to dispense it to an owner, or would prefer to administer it him/ herself is entirely at his / her discretion.
- The potential 'side effects' of detomidine (the active ingredient in Domosedan Gel) in horses are probably more concerning than those of acepromazine, particularly if your horse has any heart or neurological concerns, so this may well influence whether your vet is prepared to dispense it to you or not.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

 

[Kenzo]

Thank you for that information Keflavik, very usual to know, specially about the keeping the horse relaxed after the dose in order for it to work correctly.