The list owner of my kidney group is a boxer woman and she said never give a boxer ACE. I kept that note in my files. Recently, I took one of the rescue dogs to my day to day vet that I have a tremendous amount of trust in. She gave me some ace for Bailey II to keep her calmer so she could recover from a surgery. Half way home I saw what it was and returned it. She told me that her protocol is not to give to a heart or kidney dog, but was comfortable giving it to an otherwise healthy boxer. Still, I refused it because I thought we don’t really know if Bailey II has any hidden underlying heart issues. Just last night I saw this sticky on BoxerWorld forum and it confirmed my gut that I was right to refuse it for Bailey. My vet understood and respected my concerns. I would FIRE any vet that would insist on using something I was not comfortable with. It is imperative to have a vet team that you have a trusted relationship with. I think it might be fate that I saw this last night and saw your post.
Boxers have a documented sensitivity to the drug Acepromazine (aka Acetylpromazine, common brand names are PromAce, AceProject).
Acepromazine (Ace) can cause a severe lowering of blood pressure which can lead first to respiratory and then cardiac arrest. A veterinary warning was issued in 1997, which you can view on the American Boxer Club website:http://www.americanboxerclub.org/ace_boxers.html
You need to know this because Ace is still one of the most commonly prescribed sedatives in veterinary medicine and NOT every vet accepts that it can kill boxers and should never be used with this breed. It is never safe: A dog that has had Ace previously without issue can collapse and die a later time it is given it.
When choosing a vet
ASK them about their anesthesia protocol, and use of Ace in boxers (if you need to, print out the warning linked above from the ABC to take with you). Your vet may also refer to their copy of the Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, where the Acepromazine section states "Prolonged effects of the drug may be seen in older animals. Giant breeds, as well as greyhounds, appear quite sensitive to the clinical effects of the drug, yet terrier breeds appear more resistant. Boxer dogs, on the other hand, are predisposed to hypotensive and bradycardic effects of the drug."
There are 3 main reactions to this:
(1) Some vets will look aghast at the mere mention of Ace and boxers and tell you they would never use that drug on a brachycephalic breed (and often just don't use it at all);
(2) Some will willingly agree to use an alternative, even though they think you're going overboard about the risks; and
(3) Some will argue that it is myth that there's a problem and it's all just a matter of doseage (they, of course, use a very minimal dose), and will not or are extremely reluctant to use an alternative sedative.
Ace is a life and death matter, and not one of dosage. Obviously, the first group are the vets you want - and the third the ones you should never use. In any case, you should ensure that "NO ACE" is recorded on your dog's file in large, unmissable letters.
Remember that you are the client. Your vet (or vet tech) has no business insisting upon the use of drugs if you are not comfortable with their use, and have declined to give your consent. If you encounter such a vet, take your dog elsewhere.
Before surgery:
Acepromazine is commonly used as a pre-anesthetic sedative, therefore, if your dog is having a surgery of any kind, you need to ensure that any sedatives used will not include Ace.
Boxer hugs and kisses,
Heather, mom to
Gabby/boxer/70 lbs/26 months/very good and healthy girl
&
Forever missing Maggie/boxer/68 lbs/12 +yrs/ CKD, chronic pancreatitis, hypothyroidism, arthritis, arrhythmia controlled by sotalol, adult onset epilepsy, likely IBD,a heart condition suspected to be ARVC or DCM, mammary cancer spread to lower lymph node and high BP controlled by amolodopine. Got her wings 2.20.14 at 6:20 pm after giving us 5 years, 4 months and 17 days of unconditional love
Orange County, CA
I was talking to my vet again about neutering my male boxer and he said he would use ace. If I don't want it he won't do the surgery . Any one have any medical facts about this? Like a medical report not just hear say . thanks
Anneli
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