Comparison of sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of medetomidine and medetomidine-butorphanol combination in dogs.

OBJECTIVE

Sedative, cardiorespiratory, and analgesic effects of intramuscular administration of medetomidine (40 micrograms/kg of body weight)-glycopyrrolate (0.01 mg/kg) and medetomidine (10 micrograms/kg)-butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg)-glycopyrrolate (0.01 mg/kg) combinations were compared. Additional evaluations were done on reversal of medetomidine, using atipamezole (200 micrograms/kg. IV), after 90 minutes of medetomidine-induced sedation.

DESIGN

Crossover study, with each dog receiving each drug combination at 1-week intervals.

ANIMALS: Six 2-year-old English hound-type dogs.

PROCEDURE: Arterial blood pressure, ECG, respiratory rate, tidal volume, minute volume, arterial blood gas tensions, and serum biochemical variables were measured before, during, and after sedation. Analgesia was evaluated by needle prick on the skin and tail clamp.

RESULTS

Heart rate decreased significantly from 100 beats/min to < 40 beats/min within 3 minutes of injection of medetomidine and medetomidine and butorphanol (MB). Mean arterial blood pressure in both groups were maintained above 100 mm of Hg throughout the recording period. There was no significant difference between medetomidine and MB in respiratory rate, tidal volume, and minute ventilation. Hypoxemia (PaO2 < 60 mm of Hg) was observed at 10 and 20 minutes in 2 dogs given MB. Atipamezole administration in the dogs given medetomidine significantly increased PaO2, and returned the values to baseline. Needle prick analgesia duration was longer in the medetomidine (80 +/- 7.7 minutes) than MB (56.0 +/- 19.2 minutes) group. Tail pinch analgesia was variable in both groups. Duration of lateral recumbency was longer after medetomidine (90 +/- 0 minutes) than MB (73.5 +/- 19.0 minutes).

CONCLUSION

Medetomidine and MB were effective combination for mildly invasive procedures.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: MB induced a shorter period of analgesia and recumbency than did medetomidine.