Tiletamine + Zolazepam (Telazol)

What is this medication for?

• Restraint/anesthesia with muscle relaxation (label)
• Restraint + minor procedures ≤30 min needing mild-moderate analgesia (label)
• Chemical capture (extra-label wide use)

How is it given?

Give exactly as your veterinarian prescribed — never change the dose or stop on your own unless your veterinarian has told you to.

• C-III + reconstitution shelf-life + pancreatitis contraindication + never-rabbits = the dispensing/handling quartet.

What if I miss a dose?

• Give it as soon as you remember — unless it is almost time for the next dose (then skip the missed one; never double up).
• Call your clinic if you miss more than one dose in a row.

Side effects — what should I watch for?

Effects listed as common in this handout

• Tachycardia (dogs), arrhythmias, hypo/high blood pressure (Cardiovascular profile)
• Painful into a muscle injection, excessive salivation, emesis on emergence, vocalization, erratic/prolonged recovery (Common set)
• Athetoid movements, muscle twitching/hypertonia/rigidity (Neuro-motor)

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• Hypothermia (Monitor + heat support)

⚠️ Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if you notice

• Respiratory depression, transient stopped breathing (Monitor closely)

Before starting (or refilling), tell your veterinarian if your pet:

• has or has had: Pancreatic disease (pancreatitis association), severe cardiac or pulmonary disease, cesarean section, rabbits (renal toxicity), large exotic cats/tigers
• has or has had: Renal disease (prolonged recovery); geriatric/debilitated dose reduction; protect eyes (corneal exposure — no blink suppression)

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • Other CNS depressants/anesthetics
  • Thiopental/midazolam
  • Atropine

Storage and handling

C-III controlled; reconstituted vial shelf-life limits — plan usage.

Good to know

• The species-flip pearl: cats wake up tranquil (zolazepam lasts longer); dogs wake up dissociated (tiletamine lasts longer) — hence "cats recover smooth, dogs recover stormy."
• Roughly 3× the duration of ketamine — great for feline spays/onychectomy in one into a muscle shot; dogs get shorter work + 4-hour recovery.
• C-III + reconstitution shelf-life + pancreatitis contraindication + never-rabbits = the dispensing/handling quartet.