ace

                          Dangers of this drug -plain and simple
                                    ACEPROMAZINE


I wish I could assume that every boxer owner was aware of the dangers of this specific drug concerning your boxer companion. Working in the veterinarian field I am stunned at the lack of knowledge that boxer owners have concerning the widespread use of this drug. Actually, to my knowledge in my office, not one boxer owner other than myself has requested that acepromazine NOT be used on their boxers. Of course I’m convinced that this is old news for those of you who are in the show circuit as well as those of you who are responsible professional boxer breeders… however……. if you’re the average boxer pet owner, and have never heard of this please read on. I’ll try and make this short and simple..
“DON’T ALLOW YOUR VET TO USE ACEPROMAZINE ON YOUR BOXER!! It’s that plain and that simple.

   This drug “acepromazine” is used commonly by most veterinarian hospitals and clinics for pre anesthetic during surgery as well as the most popular prescribed drug for car travel for dogs as well as cats. I assure you that some hospitals won’t give it a second thought to administer this drug to your boxer dog during a procedure and freely prescribe it to you when you request something for your boxer for your lengthy Sunday drive or for your long needed vacation.   Your boxer may suffer a severe allergic reaction to this drug. This reaction could include arrhythmia of the heart and also cause severe lowering of blood pressure as well as respiratory arrest. Please remember that a lot of veterinarian hospitals do not have attendants that stay and supervise your animals throughout the night. There are no technicians, no doctors. None zip zero!. Nobody to find a distressed animal in the wee hours on the night. There is nobody there to monitor emergency situations, and basically the hospital is oblivious to anything until they come in to work the following morning. Are you willing to put the welfare, the life of your boxer at risk because of your lack of knowledge and the lack of concern/knowledge by this licensed veterinarian or your inability to speak up for yourself on behalf of your boxer????

YOU must be the one to tell your vet that you will not authorize the use of this drug on your boxers.
You must insist that this warning be put on your canine’s permanent file. And don’t stop at the secretaries. Make sure the doctor is well aware of this request pre surgery.
YOU have to speak up.. I’m sure your little Fido would if he could when he found out the danger he was about to be placed in.
YOU must do your homework as a responsible boxer owner to keep up with the harmful things associated with the breed, canine care in general, which you have taken the lifelong responsibility for when taking on the ownership of a canine.

If for some reason your vet refused to abide by your decision and request, or questions why, I have one strong suggestion for you. TAKE YOUR BOXER AND RUN!!!!! Then find a veterinarian that is not old school and current on all the warnings of existing medications with relation to specific breeds.    I know, I know…sigh… that the articles I’ve read suggest that you nicely talk to your vet about him taking the time and looking it up in his medical handbook under the section Acepromazine so you can systematically point out the precautions of this drug concerning specifically boxers, which in essence, you are telling this guy that’s about to operate on your dog by the way, that’s he’s clueless concerning modern medical alerts. This makes about as much sense to me as it would if I were to question a procedure or medication for one of my children and I got the same response by my surgeon. Would you be so quick to have him look up the information in his medical journal?? I think we all know the answers to that one . Do you honestly think that yours is the first boxer that has ever come into his clinic to have surgery? or to be prescribed travel medication?? This warning has been out since around 1993....Now lets see.... hmmmmmmm ... its 2005 at this writing.. That’s 12 years!!!!.   And you're going to be the one to point this out after this person has been putting boxers in harms way for all this time?? Do you consider this a slight oversight by the veterinarian?? I don’t find anything slight about this issue. A few months, a year perhaps. But 9??? I don’t think so!!
Lets get realistic on this one. Find yourself a vet that keep current on ALL breeds medication, not just boxers, you need to have the faith in your vet the same as you have in your own family doctor for your own personal health and well being. That’s what you should strive for and expect and accept nothing less.   It’s your choice. lets make the right one. Keep Acepromazine away from your boxer babies. And choose a reputable vet that you have total faith that he will keep your boxer and all your domestic friends in the best of health, who keeps current on medications as well as procedures and performs to the best of his ability.

Judy