Use of propofol to induce food consumption by anorectic dogs following ovariohysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether IV propofol administration at a dose of 2 mg/kg (0.9 mg/lb) could induce food consumption by anorectic female dogs following elective ovariohysterectomy.

ANIMALS: 51 healthy female dogs that failed to eat voluntarily when food was offered 6 hours after ovariohysterectomy.

PROCEDURES: In a randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trial, dogs received propofol (2 mg/kg; n = 31) or an equivalent volume of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (20) IV 6 hours after ovariohysterectomy. Afterward, food was offered to the dogs and food consumption was reassessed. Pain, sedation, and stress were scored before and immediately after treatment.

RESULTS

27 of the 31 (87%) dogs in the propofol group consumed food immediately after administration of the assigned treatment, whereas only 1 of 20 (5%) dogs in the placebo group did. No difference in pain, sedation, or stress scores was identified between the 2 groups. Sedation scores for dogs in the propofol group increased immediately after propofol administration.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that food consumption following elective surgical procedures can be effectively induced in anorectic female dogs by IV administration of propofol at a dose of 2 mg/kg.