Follow Veterinary Practice News on Twitter at @vetpetnews Dexdomitor, a sedative and preanesthetic manufactured by Zoetis Inc., now comes is a dosage appropriate for smaller dogs and cats. The new formulation, Dexdomitor 0.1, has a 0.1 mg/ml dosage. The volume permits U.S. veterinarians to more accurately administer doses for dogs less than 20 pounds and cats less than seven pounds, Zoetis reported today. Dexdomitor (dexmedetomidine) is used to keep pets calmer in treatment rooms. Available in Europe since August 2013, the new formulation is one-fifth the concentration of original Dexdomitor, negating the need for dilution. “Dexdomitor and now Dexdomitor 0.1 allow veterinarians and their staff to perform minor procedures on small dogs and cats, which they might not be able to do if the pet were struggling or resisting being held by staff members,” said J. Michael McFarland, DVM, Dipl. ABVP, the group director of Companion Animal Veterinary Operations for Zoetis. “Using a sedation protocol helps enhance the comfort and safety of the pet and the staff and provides a more positive clinic visit for the client as well.” Zoetis, based in Florham Park, N.J., commissioned a survey in March that found: • 56 percent of dog owners and 50 percent of cat owners noticed their pet struggling during routine veterinary visits and procedures. • Trembling and resisting were the most common behaviors reported. • 14 percent of those surveyed said more than one person was needed to hold a cat or dog during an examination. • 9 percent of cats and dogs became aggressive inside the clinic. Both Dexdomitor formulations are not recommended for dogs or cats suffering from cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorders, liver or kidney diseases, or shock, severe debilitation or stress linked to extreme heat, cold or fatigue. Dexdomitor (dexmedetomidine) is used to keep pets calmer in treatment rooms. Available in Europe since August 2013, the new formulation is one-fifth the concentration of original Dexdomitor, negating the need for dilution. “Dexdomitor and now Dexdomitor 0.1 allow veterinarians and their staff to perform minor procedures on small dogs and cats, which they might not be able to do if the pet were struggling or resisting being held by staff members,” said J. Michael McFarland, DVM, Dipl. ABVP, the group director of Companion Animal Veterinary Operations for Zoetis. “Using a sedation protocol helps enhance the comfort and safety of the pet and the staff and provides a more positive clinic visit for the client as well.” Zoetis, based in Florham Park, N.J., commissioned a survey to measure how often pets struggle during routine veterinary visits. Conducted in March, the survey found that: • 56 percent of dog owners and 50 percent of cat owners noticed their pet struggling during routine veterinary visits and procedures. • Trembling and resisting were the most common behaviors reported. • 14 percent of those surveyed said more than one person was needed to hold a cat or dog during an examination. • 9 percent of cats and dogs became aggressive inside the clinic. Both Dexdomitor formulations are not recommended for dogs or cats suffering from cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorders, liver or kidney diseases, or shock, severe debilitation or stress linked to extreme heat, cold or fatigue.
