The use of dexmedetomidine with butorphanol for sedation during hip and elbow dysplasia radiological examination of dogs.

摘要

Some diagnostic radiological projections require appropriate myorelaxation and sedation of the patients for various durations. Based on these requirements we used short-term sedation induced with a combination of xylazine and butorphanol. In relation to the application of new radiological techniques, enabling more detailed, complex examination of the investigated area or bigger number of projections (e. g. early diagnosis of hip joint dysplasia), we have increasingly used new preparations and their combinations to attain high quality and prolonged sedation. This was the motivation to evaluate the practical use of various combinations of preparations, such as dexmedetomidine and butorphanol. This study was carried out on 18 dogs which were administered dexmedetomidine and butorphanol intravenously (i.v.). The dogs were observed for the rapidity of sedation onset, heart and respiration rate, presence of palpebral eye reflex, capillary filling time and colour of the mucous membranes. We also evaluated subjectively the level of myorelaxation and the responses to painful or acoustic stimuli. The mean onset of clinically important sedation following i.v. administration of the combination was approx. 4.1 min and the mean period of arising after atipamezol antagonisation reached 17.3 min. We recorded a decrease in respiration rate within 10 min after administration, ranging between 9.35% and 21.5% and a decrease in the heart rate ranging between 53.6% and 59.2% (in comparison to that immediately before administration). After administration of atipamezol, both the heart rate and the respiratory rate increased approximately after 30-35 minutes. The combination used ensured very good myorelaxation and sedation of the patients.