The effect of adding butorphanol tartrate to an acepromazine maleate premedicant on anaesthetic induction and recovery in dogs

Abstract

This study evaluated the inclusion of butorphanol to an acepromazine maleate (ACP) premedication in 20 healthy bitches undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy to determine whether this was beneficial in improving the practice's premedication protocol. Ten bitches were administered ACP (0.04 mg/kg) and ten bitches were administered ACP (0.01 mg/kg) and butorphanol (0.01 mg/kg); both groups received carprofen (4 mg/kg). Anaesthesia was induced with propofol (4 mg/kg) to effect and was maintained on isoflurane. The time of extubation, sternal recumbency and standing was recorded, and pain scores were completed at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 24 hours. The volume of propofol required to induce anaesthesia was also recorded. Owners completed a questionnaire regarding the bitch's behaviour post operatively. It was concluded that the addition of butorphanol to an ACP premedication significantly increases the time for the bitch to regain sternal recumbency and to stand (p=0.017); all other differences in effects and observations between the two groups were statistically insignificant.