Use of medetomidine and butorphanol for sedation in dogs

Abstract

Medetomidine 10 μg/kg, was combined with butorphanol 0.1 mg/kg and administered intramuscularly to 27 dogs requiring sedation for various diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. All the dogs became deeply sedated. Heart rate fell by a mean of 55 per cent. Eighteen dogs showed signs of pain as the combination was injected. Sedation was sufficient for the intended procedure to be carried out in 25 of the dogs. General anaesthesia was induced in four dogs — the mean dose of thiopentone required for induction of anaesthesia was 2 mg/kg. Administration of atipamezole at the end of the procedure produced rapid and sudden recoveries in all the dogs, with a mean time to standing of nine minutes.

Clinical Comparison of Medetomidine-butorphanol and Medetomidine-buprenorphine Combinations for Intravenous Premedication of General Anaesthesia in the Dog

“…The level of sedation achieved by the administration of medetomidine with butorphanol or medetomidine with buprenorphine was very good in our patients as in those of Bartram et al (1994) or Muir III et al (1999). In both groups of patients 84% took up lateral recumbence and allowed handling without any defence responses.…”

“…Higher levels and duration of analgesia after the use of reduced doses of medetomidine and opioids are mentioned by some other authors (Grimm et al 2000;Ko et al 2000;Ko et al 1996;Muir III et al 1999), who also emphasise the reduction of adverse effects of medetomidine to the cardiovascular system. The heart rate is, nevertheless, reduced up to 55% (Bartram et al 1994) together with mild increase in the blood pressure (Ko et al 1996). Analgesia following the administration of medetomidine-butorphanol combination lasts even for several hs after the procedure (Grimm et al 1998).…”

“…When combined with opioids, much lower doses are needed for the same sedation effect (Bartram et al 1993;Bartram et al 1994;Muir III et al 1999). Young et al (1990) mention the same level of sedation induced by a combination of medetomidine (10 µg/kg) with butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg) as after the use of medetomidine alone in the dose of 40 µg/kg.…”

“…Analgesia following the administration of medetomidine-butorphanol combination lasts even for several hs after the procedure (Grimm et al 1998). The level of sedation makes diagnostic and simple therapeutic procedures possible (Bartram et al 1994). …”

Efecto sedativo de la asociación xilazina-morfina en caninos

“…Referente a la administración de la asociación entre un alfa 2 y un opiáceo, Muir y col (1999) señalan que posterior a la administración intramuscular de medetomidina y butorfanol en perros previo a cirugía los puntajes obtenidos para determinación del grado de analgesia indicaron menores signos de dolor 10 a 15 minutos posterior a la administración. Esto concuerda con lo descrito en trabajos anteriores utilizando asociaciones entre alfa 2 adrenérgicos y opiáceos (Bartram y col 1993, 1994, Robinson y col 2001. Este tipo de asociaciones según Cullen (1999) producen, además de un confiable grado de sedación, un importante grado de analgesia, lo cual cobra importancia a la hora de tratar con animales agresivos y para realizar procedimientos dolorosos menores.…”