A comparison of acepromazine-buprenorphine and medetomidine-buprenorphine for preanesthetic medication of dogs.

OBJECTIVE

To assess sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of premedication with a medetomidine-buprenorphine or acepromazine-buprenorphine combination in dogs anesthetized with propofol and isoflurane.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled clinical trial.

ANIMALS: 90 dogs undergoing routine surgical and diagnostic procedures.

PROCEDURES: Dogs were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 premedication groups: group 1 (acepromazine, 0.03 mg/kg [0.014 mg/lb], IM; buprenorphine, 0.02 mg/kg [0.009 mg/lb], IM), 2 (medetomidine, 5 μg/kg [2.3 μg/lb], IM; buprenorphine, 0.02 mg/kg, IM), or 3 (medetomidine, 10 μg/kg [4.5 μg/lb], IM; buprenorphine, 0.02 mg/kg, IM). Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Simple descriptive scores for sedation were assigned 15 minutes (groups 2 and 3) and 30 minutes (group 1) after premedication administration. Basic cardiopulmonary data were recorded throughout the anesthetic period. Times to recovery from anesthesia were recorded.

RESULTS

Sedation scores did not differ significantly among groups. Mean and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower and heart rate was significantly higher in group 1 than in the other groups. Mean end-tidal partial pressure of CO(2) was significantly lower and respiratory rate was significantly higher in group 1 than in the other groups. There were no significant differences in anesthetic recovery times between groups.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that either acepromazine or medetomidine could be used in combination with buprenorphine for premedication of dogs anesthetized with propofol and isoflurane for routine surgical and diagnostic procedures. Arterial blood pressure was better maintained with the medetomidine-buprenorphine combinations, but tissue perfusion was not investigated.