Cardiopulmonary effects of a combination of medetomidine and butorphanol in atropinized pigs.

Cardiopulmonary effects of a combination of medetomidine and butorphanol were evaluated in atropinized pigs. This combination unchanged the cardiac output and significantly lowered the oxygen consumption compared with base-line values. Although some statistically significant changes were recorded, both medetomidine and butorphanol did not have a marked effect on the cardiopulmonary parameters in atropinized pigs. It was indicated that the administration of the combination of medetomidine and butorphanol is relatively safe in atropinized pigs.