Zolazepam and Tiletamine
Also known as: Zoletil, Telazol
This medication is an anesthetic used by your veterinarian to perform procedures on your pet. * **Recovery at Home:** Your pet may be groggy, wobbly, or sleepy for several hours after coming home. Keep them in a warm, quiet, and dimly lit room away from stairs, other pets, and children. * **Behavioral Changes:** Some pets (especially dogs) may whine, vocalize, or seem agitated as the medication wears off. This is a normal part of the recovery process, but contact your vet if it seems excessive. * **Feeding:** Follow your veterinarian's specific instructions regarding when to offer food and water, as swallowing reflexes may be temporarily impaired.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- General anaesthesia
- General anaesthesia
- General anaesthesia
- General anaesthesia
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Excessive salivation (ptyalism)
- Muscle rigidity during recovery
- Prolonged and excitable recovery (especially in dogs at higher doses)
- Pain on intramuscular injection (particularly in cats)
- Respiratory depression (can be fatal in neonates)
- Hypothermia
Cautions & contraindications
- Severe cardiac disease
- Severe respiratory disease
- Hypertensive disease
- Renal insufficiency
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Hepatic insufficiency
- Head trauma or intracranial tumours
- Pregnancy (crosses the placenta and causes fatal respiratory depression in neonates)
- > **Human Safety Warning:** Pregnant women should avoid handling the product. * **Recovery Environment:** Following anesthesia, return to normal is progressive (2-6 hours). Animals must be kept in a calm, quiet environment. Avoid excessive noise and light. * **Patient Factors:** Recovery may be significantly delayed in obese, old, or debilitated animals. * **Parasite Collars:** Remove any antiparasitic collar 24 hours before anesthesia. * **Secretions:** Excessive salivation can occur; consider administration of an anticholinergic (e.g., atropine or glycopyrrolate) to control this.
Drug interactions
- Phenothiazines (e.g., Acepromazine): Increased cardiorespiratory depression and increased hypothermic effect during the last phase of anesthesia.
- Chloramphenicol: Slows down the elimination of the anesthetics if used during the pre- or intraoperative period.
Frequently asked questions
What is Zolazepam and Tiletamine used for in pets?
This medication is an anesthetic used by your veterinarian to perform procedures on your pet. * **Recovery at Home:** Your pet may be groggy, wobbly, or sleepy for several hours after coming home. Keep them in a warm, quiet, and dimly lit room away from stairs, other pets, and children. * **Behavioral Changes:** Some pets (especially dogs) may whine, vocalize, or seem agitated as the medication wears off. This is a normal part of the recovery process, but contact your vet if it seems excessive. * **Feeding:** Follow your veterinarian's specific instructions regarding when to offer food and water, as swallowing reflexes may be temporarily impaired.
Is Zolazepam and Tiletamine 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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