Detomidine Gel (Horses)
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Detomidine Gel (Horses) during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
(de-toe-ma-deen)
Description: Detomidine Gel (Horses)
This medicine is used to make a horse calm and sleepy (a sedative).
Other Names for this Medication:
- Dormosedan Gel
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals: a gel that is placed in the mouth (oromucosal gel, meaning it is absorbed through the mouth lining).
- For people: none.
This handout does not include every piece of information that exists for this medicine. It is meant to help with common questions, but it does not replace medical advice. If you need more details or have questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
Key Information
- Detomidine gel is given to horses to cause sedation.
- This gel must be placed under the tongue so it can soak in through the mouth lining. If the horse swallows it, it may not work well.
- After giving this medicine, keep the horse somewhere calm and quiet. Be careful around a sedated horse, because it may still startle and react suddenly.
- The side effects seen most often are sweating, the penis becoming relaxed, and urinating more often.
- Use gloves that do not let liquid pass through while you handle this medicine and when you touch your horse’s mouth after you give it.
- If your horse is not sedated after 40 minutes, call your veterinarian. Also call if you think the horse swallowed the gel or spit it out. Do not give another dose.
How is this medication useful?
This medicine is approved to help sedate and restrain horses. Veterinarians, in certain situations, may prescribe medicines with this ingredient for other animals or for other problems. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this medicine is the best choice.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many different factors can change how this medicine works in your horse. Tell your veterinarian the following so you can decide together on the safest plan.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about every product your horse receives, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Include how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your horse has now, and any your horse has had before.
- If your horse has had treatment before for the same problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your horse is pregnant or nursing, discuss the risks of using this medicine with your veterinarian.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any side effects your horse has had from medicines in the past.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
This medicine usually begins to work within 40 minutes. You may notice the horse’s head dropping lower and the front legs standing firmly.
- If your horse does not seem sedated enough after 40 minutes, contact your veterinarian. Do not give another dose.
The effects can continue for as long as 4 hours. The effects may last longer if your horse’s liver is not working well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your horse.
This medication SHOULD NOT be used in horses:
- That have an allergy to this medicine.
Use this medication WITH CAUTION in:
- Horses with heart disease.
- Horses with breathing problems.
- Horses with kidney or liver disease.
- Horses that are in shock or are very weak.
- Horses that are under stress from very hot or very cold temperatures, or from being at high altitude.
- Pregnant, nursing, or breeding horses.
- Horses younger than 1 year old.
- Ponies and miniature horses.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Common side effects include:
- In some horses, this medicine may cause the horse to become more worked up instead of calm. If this happens, contact your veterinarian.
- Sweating.
- The penis becoming relaxed.
- Urinating more often.
- Mild to moderate swaying or reduced coordination.
- Drooling.
- Mild shaking of muscles.
- Hair standing up.
- Sudden and unexpected reactions to things like noise or touch, even when the horse looks fully sedated.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
If you see an overdose happen, or you think it may have happened, contact your veterinarian right away for guidance.
How should this medication be given?
For this medicine to work correctly, give it exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed it. Always read the prescription label so you confirm you are giving it the right way.
This gel must be placed under the tongue so it can be absorbed through the mouth lining. If it is swallowed, it does not work well.
To give this medicine, do the following steps:
- Make sure your horse does not have food in its mouth.
- Put on gloves that do not let liquid pass through. Ask your veterinarian if the gloves you want to use are suitable.
- While holding the plunger, rotate the ring-stop until it can move freely up and down the plunger.
- Move the ring so that the side of the ring closest to the medicine barrel lines up with the volume mark your veterinarian prescribed.
- Turn the ring so it locks in place.
- Take off the cap from the syringe tip and keep the cap so you can put it back on.
- Place the syringe into the corner of the horse’s mouth, and position the tip under the tongue.
- Press the plunger in until the ring-stop meets the barrel.
- Take the syringe out of the mouth, put the cap back on, and place it back in the box for disposal. Do not use a partly used syringe again.
- After giving the medicine, keep your horse in a quiet place until sedation happens.
- Contact your veterinarian if you think your horse swallowed the gel or spit it out.
- Keep wearing gloves when touching your horse’s mouth or saliva for at least 2 hours after giving the dose.
- Do not give food or water until the medicine’s effects have completely worn off.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you do not give a dose when you were supposed to, contact your veterinarian.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine at room temperature.
- Store it where children and animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
Detomidine gel can enter the body if it gets directly on the skin, in the eyes, or in the mouth.
- Wear gloves that do not let liquid pass through when handling this medicine and when touching your horse’s mouth or saliva for 2 hours after giving it. Ask your veterinarian if your gloves are appropriate.
- If you have heart disease, be especially careful to prevent any direct contact with this medicine.
In case of accidental exposure to the eyes or mouth:
- Flush the eyes well with water for 15 minutes.
- Rinse the mouth with water and do not swallow.
- Get medical help immediately, but do NOT drive. Exposure can cause sleepiness, low blood pressure, and a slow heart rate.
In case of accidental skin exposure:
- Wash the skin that was exposed using soap and water, and take off any clothing that has the medicine on it.
- Contact your doctor if you have any questions or worries about the exposure.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet and do not pour it into a sink. If your community has a medicine “take-back” program, use that. If there is no take-back program, throw it away in the regular trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Be careful when working around a sedated horse. Even if the horse looks fully sedated, sudden things can still trigger protective reactions such as kicking.
- Some competitions may not allow the use of this medicine. Check the rules before entering your horse in a competition while this medicine is being used.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”