Safe Sedatives

maximus · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:29 pm Post subject: Safe Sedatives

No, I am not looking to calm Maximus because I can't handle him. Maximus is 18 months old and I have had him since he was 6 weeks. I love his energy and his personality. However, he has recently ruptured a ligament in his rear leg and I have scheduled him for corrective surgery. The surgeon has told me that the healing process will take up to 6 months. While out of his crate, he is to be kept on a leash. No running, jumping, etc. 6 months! The very idea of this does not seem possible. But I feel I don't have a choice.

Can anyone recommend a safe long term sedative to help him through this recovery process? I would appreciate any feedback from anyone that has gone through this procedure or who has used sedatives for their weim. Thanks.

Jay

weimdawgs · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:57 pm Post subject:

Try benedryl...it makes them tired..and will help if he has any allergies.

Travis · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:58 pm Post subject:

6 months!?!? Jeez, good luck with that. You might try ST. Johns Wort, i've heard of people using it. There should be something, especially with the fact that weims are so bad about separation anxiety, i'm sure one of the medications they use for that would work for you.

SpartacussMommy · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:36 am Post subject:

Benadryl did nothing for us! Sad

I was sooooo hopeful too. We ended up going to the vet to get something for the car, the recommended dosage from the vet was 1 to 1 and a 1/2 tablets .... I give sparty only a half of a tablet and it settles him down. But that seems to be the only thing that has worked. I'll have to look at the prescription bottle when I get home to find out what it is!

maximus · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:19 pm Post subject:

My vet has prescribed acepromazine in the past for MAST surgeries. It does make him drowsey, but I don't know if 6 months of that can be healthy.

anne · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:35 pm Post subject:

Rescue Remedy
Melatonin

These are all natural and I would try them before Benedryl and certainly Ace. I've found that a lot of Weims are overly sensitive to Ace.

wildlifecr13 · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:00 pm Post subject:

and mentally stimulating games that can use up that energy without a ton of physical activity will help. perhaps puzzle toys, hide and seek with toys, and toys,etc with PB, yogurt, and other frozen goodies in them.

maximus · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:53 pm Post subject:

All good suggestions. Thanks for the help. Very Happy

hoochmamas · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:31 am Post subject:

i gave hooch richard's organics pet calm, which is kava kava.. to help him sleep for his airplane ride in a carrier, and the first 2 nights of crate training at home.. i think it helped him to sleep a little deeper, but i don't know about long term use.

DukesMom · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:12 am Post subject:

You've spent over 8K!!! on him?

maximus · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 2:24 pm Post subject:

jkashlak · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject:

Wow!! I thought I had it bad spending 5K on all of Bailey's issues. You have me beat, sorry Sad