Effect of intravenous butorphanol infusion on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in cats

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of butorphanol, administered by intravenous (IV) infusion, on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane (MACISO) in cats and to examine the dosage dependence of this effect. Study designRandomized, placebo-controlled, crossover experimental study. AnimalsA group of six healthy adult male neutered cats. MethodsCats were anesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen. A venous catheter was placed for fluid and drug administration, and an arterial catheter was placed for measurement of arterial pressure and blood sampling. Four treatments were administered at random with at least 2 week interval between treatments: saline (control), butorphanol low dosage (treatment LD; 0.25 mg kg–1 IV bolus followed by 85 μg kg–1 minute–1 for 20 minutes, then 43 μg kg–1 minute–1 for 40 minutes, then 19 μg kg–1 minute–1), medium dosage (treatment MD, double the dosages in LD) and high dosage (treatment HD, quadruple the dosages in LD). MACISO was determined in duplicate using the bracketing technique and tail clamping. Pulse rate, arterial pressure, hemoglobin oxygen saturation, end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide and arterial blood gas and pH were measured. ResultsButorphanol reduced MACISO in a dosage-dependent manner, by 23 ± 8%, 37 ± 12% and 68 ± 10% (mean ± standard deviation) in treatments LD, MD and HD, respectively. The main cardiopulmonary effect observed was a decrease in pulse rate, significant in treatment HD compared with control. Conclusions and clinical relevanceButorphanol caused a dosage-dependent MACISO reduction in cats. IV infusion of butorphanol may be of interest for partial IV anesthesia in cats.