Comparison of the Sedative and Cardiovascular Effects of Azaperone and Acepromazine in Dogs

In this study, the degree and characteristics of sedation were assessed using the Grint scale for azaperone and acepromazine in 24 dogs, with the effects on heart rate and systemic blood pressure evaluated simultaneously using oscillometry. Posture, palpebral reflex, eye position, relaxation, response, postural resistance, attitude, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models to evaluate the effects of treatment, time, and their interaction. Significant effects of time were observed for all variables (p < 0.001), including systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure, whereas heart rate was not significantly affected by treatment. Based on these results, we conclude that azaperone produces moderate sedation at 20 min after administration, and it does not induce bradycardia or clinically significant hypotension.