My vet told me to give my cattle dogs 1 tablet each of ACP (for storm terrors)  but I think I might have overdosed them, there eyes are red & droopy, they can hardly walk.  It's the same sort of "out of it" that they have after an op...  I am worried. should I just leave them sleep it off?????   or is there something I can do for them?????

ACP is not a good sedative to give some dogs as they do react strongly to it. You could call your vet but probably nothing you can do except let them sleep. Another problem with ACP is I beleive it leaves the animal still aware of the thing it is worried about but unable to do anything about it. So it is not a good choice for dogs that are frightened of things. I would look into other options if I were you.
Editied to add Vallium is supposed to be  a better, safer option

Thanks for that....  makes me feel better knowing that they are just "off their heads" rather than having an allergic reaction....   I did ring the my vet... It didn't help the situation much that I had given them there worm tablets 12 hours before, this could have made the problem worse...   one of my dogs does have a very bad reaction to Comfortis (flea tablet) it was terrible, but all I could do then, is the same thing I am doing now....  hoping the hangover isn't too unbearable.....  I don't have children - so my dogs are kinda the "kids"  I did have 4 until 2 months ago.....   A taipan (very deadly snake) bit my 3 year old mastiff X cattle dog, was horrible, I saw it all happen & there was nothing I could do.... we live 45 minutes from the vet, I got there but he died within minutes of arriving.. (I made that trip in 24min)  but.....   I did kill the snake. he was 7 foot long. One of the biggest I have seen in years.  I do choose to live in snake country - but I have done all my life, you learn to live with nasty's....  just wish my boy wasn't so intent on protecting me that day....
Thanks for the reply...   makes me feel easier...  Cheers

I know what you mean about the worry. I am the same with mine. Lucily we don't live where there are dangerous animals.
I have used ACP in the past for a firework phobic dog and do seem to remember her getting very red eyed. They sort of went loose and showed the membranes. The ACP didn't help with the phobia as she used to fight it and would still stagger round in a panic and I felt she was more likely to hurt herself in her drugged up state. I would not use it again on a dog.

ACP has such an unpredictable effect I would not advise it's use, it can even lead to the dog becoming aggressive. Given to two dogs of the same breed of the same weight and sex one with become almost unconscious and lose control of legs and bladder and the other will not appear effected at all, both will be as normal in 48 hours.

Thanks for the advice folks, they seem to be returning to normal - only took 6 hours, poor little things (well mid sized things) I had to help them outside - towel under the belly - they couldn't handle the few stairs we have...  live & learn tho....  I think we will just have to handle the panting, slobbering, howling, trembling like a baby & running around trying to hide under my bed (only 6 inches to squeeze under) considering the male is nearly 30kg it's quite funny.....  thanks again guys - Cheers Victoria from Queensland Austalia............

> Another problem with ACP is I beleive it leaves the animal still aware of the thing it is worried about but unable to do anything about it. So it is not a good choice for dogs that are frightened of things

This isnt always true. ACP is a pre med so effectively sends them to sleep. but i do agree it can vary from dog to dog. 1 tablet can knock one dog right out whereas 4 tablets could just make them drowsy. And yes in the drowsy state they can still be fearful, but in my opinion the greater risk is if the dog is ataxic it is more likely to harm itself. It is a difficult drug to find the right dosage for each animal for but depending on why the sedative is being used it can be a great help.

It is a pre-med yes but for storms, fireworks etc it's not going to be given at a pre-med dose to knock the animal out - that is just a huge risk in an owner's home.  But yes, it affects different dogs differently.

Another potential risk of ACP is also an increase in fearful state - or even the trigger of it.  Totally counterproductive for treating a fearful situation, not something I would ever recommend and would steer clear of at all costs.  It is just not a good choice for such a problem, especially not these days with other options available.

If things are really bad, diazepam could be such an option - I know several people who have to use this for their dogs with good effect but without the risk of physical muscle relaxation while fully aware mentally, or increased fear.  Or, the OP could go down the herbal route - valerian tincture, scullcap & valerian tablets, or maybe zylkene or the new calmex would be worth a try.  Horses for courses.  I've not had any luck with any of the above except the tincture for Remy's firework phobia - but the tincture sorts him out brilliantly, he is calm and happy but still fully aware.

> It is a pre-med yes but for storms, fireworks etc it's not going to be given at a pre-med dose to knock the animal out - that is just a huge risk in an owner's home.  But yes, it affects different dogs differently

This is where ACP is tricky, when you said its not given at pre med dose, again you can never tell just how much ACP will affect an individual dog. So in that way its not perfect. But if you know just how much to give for that individual dog and its enough to send them to sleep for the night it can work. I would agree that for fireworks i wouldnt use them ut i have used them to calm an extremely excitable dog after a TTA so she didnt bounce off the walls and cause more damage. So i would agree its horses for courses.

That's a different situation though - the OP clearly stated that the ACP in this case has been given for "storm terrors", so not a suitable application for them at all IMO.

Again, i think it depends on if your alble to give enough for the dog to sleep through. Is it the best for fireworks? no i agree it isnt as its unpredictable but if you have used them and can dose the right amount its fair enough to use. I do agree with the statement there are other drugs better but if you use ACP correctly for the induvidual dog it can help.

> but I think I might have overdosed them,

One of my biggest worries would be a dramatic drop in blood pressure.

Our cat was given this when we moved house and he fought it all the way, it hardly had an effect. A dog of mine was given it for fear of storms and he was off his legs on a small dose. The vet told me it would decrease a dogs bite inhibition.  Also not good for epileptic dogs, and as already mentioned every dog will react differently to the drug.

Acepromazine should not be used within one month of deworming with organophosphate compounds.
Acepromazine lowers blood pressure: it should not be used in animals that are dehydrated, anaemic or in shock.
Acepromazine should be avoided or used with extreme caution in older animals or those with liver disease, heart disease, injury or debilitation. If it is used in these animals, it should be given in very small doses. In some older animals, a very small dose can have a marked and very prolonged effect.
Acepromazine should not be used in animals with a history of epilepsy, those prone to seizures or those receiving a myelogram, because it may lower the seizure threshold
Acepromazine should be avoided in pregnancy or lactation. It should be avoided or used with extreme caution in young animals due to its effects on an animal's ability to thermo regulate.
Dogs: Giant breeds and greyhounds may be extremely sensitive to acepromazine, while terriers may require higher doses. Brachycephalic breeds, especially Boxers, are particularly prone to cardiovascular side-effects (drop in blood pressure and slow heart- rate). Acepromazine should be avoided or used with great caution in these breeds.

i would be nervous of using it again. used half a tablet once before a long journey on my previous weimaraner bitch that was about 35kg.  she was fine for a few minutes then fell like a stone- near unconsious and took hours to come round, frightened me to death. was relived didn't use the whole tablet doseage that had been recommended

>Our cat was given this when we moved house and he fought it all the way, it hardly had an effect.

If you are giving an animal the correct dose, and it has no effect, this is normally due to the high adrenaline in an animal feeling fearful, anxious etc.  In cases like this, it is never wise to increase the dose, because of the effect on blood pressure. 

So I agree with WolfieStruppi that their is a real variation in the results for different animals.