INDICATIONS

• Restraint and Sedation: The drug is widely used for chemical restraint, particularly in aggressive or unapproachable animals, or for non-invasive diagnostic procedures like imaging or blood collection.
• Minor Surgical Procedures: It is indicated for minor surgeries requiring mild to moderate pain relief and muscle relaxation, such as:
  • Laceration repair
  • Draining of abscesses
  • Castrations
  • Dentistry and foreign body removal in cats
• Anesthesia Induction: In dogs, it is also approved for intravenous (IV) induction of anesthesia, which is then maintained with an inhalant anesthetic.
• Exotic and Wild Animals: It is frequently used (often extra-label) for the immobilization and anesthesia of various species, including zoo animals, large cats like lions, and pigs. 

ADMINISTRATION

• Intramuscular (IM) Injection: This is the most common route for both dogs and cats when used as the primary anesthetic agent for restraint or minor procedures. The injection should be administered deeply into a large muscle mass, such as the quadriceps or the epaxial muscles along the spine. Onset of effects is typically seen within 5 to 12 minutes. There may be some pain on injection, especially in cats.
• Intravenous (IV) Injection: In dogs, the IV route is indicated for the induction of anesthesia, followed by maintenance with an inhalant anesthetic. The injection should be administered slowly, over 30 to 45 seconds, to effect. Onset is much faster than IM administration, usually within one minute.
• Subcutaneous (SC) Injection: This route has been used in specific contexts, such as in-home euthanasia, often after premedication to minimize potential adverse reactions.
• Buccal Administration: A needle-free method placing the drug into the oral cavity for absorption through the cheek mucosa, used for sedation in cats in some studies.