Xylazine
Also known as: Rompun, AnaSed, Sedazine, Cervizine, Chanazine, Gemini, Nerfasin, Sedaxylan, Virbaxyl, Xylacare, Xylapan
Xylazine is a potent sedative and pain-relieving medication used to calm animals for procedures or as part of an anesthetic protocol. * **Vomiting:** It is very common for cats (and sometimes dogs) to vomit shortly after receiving this drug. This is an expected effect and is sometimes the primary reason the drug is given (e.g., if your pet ate something toxic). * **Recovery:** Your pet may be groggy, uncoordinated, or sleepy for a few hours after the procedure. Keep them in a quiet, safe, and comfortable environment until they are fully awake. * **Startle Reflex:** Even if an animal (especially a horse) appears deeply asleep, sudden loud noises can cause them to startle or kick violently. Always move quietly around sedated animals.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
Veterinary professional? See the full dosing-by-species reference on VetSheet →
What it is used for
- Label dosage (Note: Many believe this is too high)
- Preanesthetic
- Emetic
- Analgesic
- Post-operative anxiety
- Emesis
- Growth hormone suppression test
- Sedative/analgesic
- Sedative/analgesic combination
- Anesthesia combination
- Sedation
- Camelids (Alpacas/Llamas): Procedural pain/recumbency
- Label dosage
- Sedative/analgesic for colic
- Sedation analgesia
- Caudal epidural for analgesia
- Short-acting, potent analgesic for mild to moderate colic
- Field anesthesia premedication
- Balanced anesthesia protocol
- Sedative/analgesic
- In combination with ketamine
- Rabbits: Minimally invasive procedures (<30-45 min)
- Mice/Rats: General anesthesia
- Hamsters/Guinea pigs: General anesthesia
- Gerbils: General anesthesia
- Rodents: General anesthesia
- Analgesia and restraint for standing procedures
- Sedation/Analgesia
- Sedation
- Label dosage (Note: Many believe this is too high)
- Preanesthetic
- Restraint in healthy animals (with opioids)
- Epidural injection
- Analgesic
- Post-operative anxiety
- Growth hormone response test
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Emesis (especially in cats, occasionally dogs)
- Muscle tremors
- Bradycardia with partial A-V block
- Reduced respiratory rate and tidal volume
- Sudden movement or kicking in response to sharp auditory stimuli (especially horses)
- Increased urination (cats, cattle)
- Bloat from aerophagia (dogs, cattle)
- Sweating (horses)
- Salivation, ruminal atony, regurgitation, and diarrhea (cattle)
- Premature parturition (cattle)
- Transient hypertension followed by hypotension
- Decreased mucociliary clearance (horses)
- Cardiovascular depression (bradycardia, arrhythmias)
- Vomiting (especially in cats)
- Diuresis (suppression of ADH secretion)
- Transient hyperglycaemia (decreased insulin secretion)
- Mydriasis
- Decreased intraocular pressure
- Increased uterine motility
Cautions & contraindications
- Animals receiving epinephrine
- Active ventricular arrhythmias
- Preexisting cardiac dysfunction
- Hypotension or shock
- Respiratory dysfunction
- Severe hepatic or renal insufficiency
- Preexisting seizure disorders
- Severely debilitated animals
- Last trimester of pregnancy (particularly in cattle)
- Dehydrated or debilitated ruminants
- Urinary tract obstruction (ruminants)
- Intra-arterial injection (may cause severe seizures and collapse)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Systemic disease affecting cardiovascular performance
- Geriatric patients
- Pregnant animals
- Diabetic animals
- Patients receiving sympathomimetic amines
- Conditions where vomiting is contraindicated (e.g., foreign body, raised intraocular pressure)
- Ingestion of strong acids, alkalis, or volatile/oily organic products
- Unconscious or seizing animals, or those with a reduced cough reflex
- Use extreme caution in ruminants due to high sensitivity; ensure correct product concentration (20 mg/mL vs 100 mg/mL). Horses may appear deeply sedated but can still kick violently in response to sudden noises (auditory stimuli). May induce premature parturition in cattle. Can inhibit GI motility; use cautiously in patients with intestinal impactions. Use cautiously in horses during the vasoconstrictive phase of laminitis. Brachycephalic dogs and horses with upper airway disease may develop dyspnea.
Drug interactions
- Acepromazine: Potential for additive hypotensive effects; use cautiously in animals susceptible to hemodynamic complications.
- Chloramphenicol: Prolonged sedation and gastrointestinal stasis possible.
- CNS Depressants (barbiturates, narcotics, anesthetics, phenothiazines): Additive CNS depression. Dosages of these agents may need to be reduced.
- Epinephrine: May induce the development of ventricular arrhythmias (with or without concurrent halothane).
- Reserpine: May cause colic-like clinical signs in horses; concurrent use should be avoided.
- Anaesthetic agents: Significantly reduces the dose of all other anaesthetic agents required to maintain anaesthesia.
- Sympathomimetic amines: Increased risk of severe cardiac arrhythmias.
Frequently asked questions
What is Xylazine used for in pets?
Xylazine is a potent sedative and pain-relieving medication used to calm animals for procedures or as part of an anesthetic protocol. • Vomiting: It is very common for cats (and sometimes dogs) to vomit shortly after receiving this drug. This is an expected effect and is sometimes the primary reason the drug is given (e.g., if your pet ate something toxic). • Recovery: Your pet may be groggy, uncoordinated, or sleepy for a few hours after the procedure. Keep them in a quiet, safe, and comfortable environment until they are fully awake. • Startle Reflex: Even if an animal (especially a horse) appears deeply asleep, sudden loud noises can cause them to startle or kick violently. Always move quietly around sedated animals.
Is Xylazine safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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