Which sedative cannot be used on gerbils because it lowers the seizure threshold?

• A. Acepromazine
• B. Xylazine
• C. Diazepam
• D. Ketamine

Answer: (A)

Key idea: some sedatives change how easily neurons fire, so in animals prone to seizures you avoid drugs that lower the seizure threshold. Acepromazine is a phenothiazine tranquilizer known to reduce this threshold, making seizures more likely in susceptible animals like gerbils. Because gerbils can have spontaneous seizures, acepromazine is not a safe choice for sedating them. In contrast, diazepam actually increases seizure threshold by enhancing GABAergic inhibition, so it is anticonvulsant and generally safer in seizure-prone cases. Xylazine provides sedation without primarily lowering seizure threshold, though it brings other risks (like cardiovascular effects). Ketamine’s effects are dose- and context-dependent and are not the reason acepromazine is avoided for this reason.