Evaluation of anesthetic protocols for neutering 6- to 14-week-old pups. 1994

A M Faggella, and M G Aronsohn
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, Boston 02130.

Ninety-nine 6- to 14-week-old pups were given anesthetic agents according to 10 anesthetic protocols. Mean quality rating scores were determined to compare anesthetic protocols. In male pups, IV administration of propofol (6.5 mg/kg of body weight) 15 minutes after IM administration of atropine (0.04 mg/kg) and oxymorphone (0.22 mg/kg) provided the best quality anesthesia. Intramuscular administration of midazolam (0.22 mg/kg) and butorphanol (0.44 mg/kg) instead of oxymorphone provided little sedation, but induced good analgesia. Atropine/oxymorphone/midazolam/xylazine, atropine/butorphanol/midazolam/xylazine, and tiletamine/zolazepam were unsatisfactory combinations for use in castration of 6- to 14-week-old male pups. In female pups, IV administration of propofol (3.4 mg/kg) 15 minutes after IM administration of atropine (0.04 mg/kg) and oxymorphone (0.11 mg/kg) was the most effective anesthetic protocol. Administration of the drugs according to this protocol enabled a pup to be intubated. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. If inhalational induction was preferred, IM administration of 13.2 mg of tiletamine/zolazepam/kg, 0.04 mg of atropine/kg and 0.11 mg of oxymorphone/kg, or 0.22 mg of midazolam/kg and 0.44 mg of butorphanol/kg may be used prior to mask delivery of inhalational anesthetics. In female pups, it was not advantageous to combine midazolam with oxymorphone, and use of high dosages of oxymorphone (0.22 mg/kg) or midazolam/butorphanol provided little sedation. Time of recovery after use of tiletamine/zolazepam was the longest for the combinations used, but did not adversely affect pups. Male pups were castrated via scrotal incisions, using hemostatic clips. Ovariohysterectomies were performed via a ventral abdominal midline approach, using hemostatic clips for ligation, five females developed signs of inflammation at the surgical site within 1 to 2 weeks after surgical, and were treated conservatively with warm compresses.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007044 Hysterectomy Excision of the uterus. Hysterectomies
D008297 Male Males
D009126 Muscle Relaxation That phase of a muscle twitch during which a muscle returns to a resting position. Muscle Relaxations,Relaxation, Muscle,Relaxations, Muscle
D009919 Orchiectomy The surgical removal of one or both testicles. Castration, Male,Orchidectomy,Castrations, Male,Male Castration,Male Castrations,Orchidectomies,Orchiectomies
D010052 Ovariectomy The surgical removal of one or both ovaries. Castration, Female,Oophorectomy,Bilateral Ovariectomy,Bilateral Ovariectomies,Castrations, Female,Female Castration,Female Castrations,Oophorectomies,Ovariectomies,Ovariectomies, Bilateral,Ovariectomy, Bilateral
D011183 Postoperative Complications Pathologic processes that affect patients after a surgical procedure. They may or may not be related to the disease for which the surgery was done, and they may or may not be direct results of the surgery. Complication, Postoperative,Complications, Postoperative,Postoperative Complication
D004285 Dogs The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065) Canis familiaris,Dog
D005260 Female Females
D000698 Analgesia Methods of PAIN relief that may be used with or in place of ANALGESICS. Analgesias
D000758 Anesthesia A state characterized by loss of feeling or sensation. This depression of nerve function is usually the result of pharmacologic action and is induced to allow performance of surgery or other painful procedures.

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