An evaluation of anaesthetic induction in healthy dogs using rapid intravenous injection of propofol or alfaxalone

Effects of thiopentone, propofol and alfaxalone on laryngeal motion during oral laryngoscopy in healthy dogs

“…The total doses reported in the present study were similar or less than textbook ranges yet comparable to previous studies (Gross et al 2002, McKeirnan et al 2014, Nelissen et al 2012) and adequate to reliably achieve oral laryngeal examination. The rate of administration is an important factor whereby a rapid administration rate tends to increase the incidence of apnoea (Amengual et al 2013). This would adversely affect an accurate laryngeal examination.…”

“…Studies in healthy dogs have shown that alfaxalone produced good short-term anaesthesia in unpremedicated patients with minimal cardiorespiratory depression at the recommended induction dose range (Muir et al 2008). The most common adverse effect documented with its use was apnoea which was related to the total dose and rate of intravenous administration (Amengual et al 2013, Muir et al 2008. A recent study concluded that propofol was more likely to induce apnoea in dogs when compared to alfaxalone.…”

“…Alfaxalone is a synthetic neuroactive steroid that acts as a gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor agonist to produce anaesthesia and muscle relaxation (Amengual et al 2013). Studies in healthy dogs have shown that alfaxalone produced good short-term anaesthesia in unpremedicated patients with minimal cardiorespiratory depression at the recommended induction dose range (Muir et al 2008).…”

“…Amengal et al (2013) investigated the quality of anaesthetic induction following rapid intravenous injection of propofol (3 mg/kg over 5 seconds) or alfaxalone (1.5 mg/kg over 5 seconds) approximately 40 minutes after premedication with acepromazine (0.03 mg/kg IM) and pethidine (3 mg/kg IM). They concluded that a rapid administration rate increases the incidence of postinduction apnoea (Amengual et al 2013). Dugdale et al (2005) investigated the induction dose requirements of thiopental using two different administration rates for induction of anaesthesia.…”

“…Propofol (2,6-di-isopropylphenol), an alkyl-phenol, when administered shows adequate exposure of the larynx, but exhibits weaker arytenoid motion compared to thiopental in dogs (Gross et al 2002, McKeirnan et al 2014. Also, propofol is more likely to induce apnoea in dogs when compared to alfaxalone, a synthetic neuro-active steroid anaesthetic (Amengual et al 2013, Keates & Whittem 2012.…”