Table 2.

Sedation scoring system

Score	Description
1	Not very/not sedated: Able to stand up and walk. Fully responsive. No signs of depression, drowsiness, ataxia or altered character with respect to how it was without any medication
2	Slightly sedated: Able to stand up and walk. Fully responsive but slow to react. Mild signs of depression, drowsiness, ataxia or mild changes in character
3	Sedated: Able to stand up but reluctant to walk. Slow reaction to stimuli. Signs of depression, drowsiness, ataxia and changed character
4	Deeply/very sedated: Unable to stand up and walk. Unresponsive to stimuli. Depressed, drowsy and sleepy

Sedation scoring system used to assess 39 healthy female dogs admitted for elective ovariohysterectomy, following pre-medication with pethidine (3 mg kg^− 1) and acepromazine (30 μg kg^− 1) intramuscularly [21]