Effect of midazolam on the quality and duration of anaesthetic recovery in healthy dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy or castration

Kropf, J. and Hughes, J.M. L. (2019) Effect of midazolam on the quality and duration of anaesthetic recovery in healthy dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy or castration. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 46(5), pp. 587-596. (doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2019.05.008) (PMID:31395483)

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether the use of a single dose of midazolam affects quality and duration of the recovery period in healthy dogs undergoing elective castration or ovariohysterectomy. Study design: Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, masked clinical trial. Animal population: Seventy-four client-owned dogs undergoing neutering. Methods: Following cage demeanour scoring using a simple descriptive scale (SDS), dogs were premedicated with acepromazine (0.03 mg kg–1) and pethidine (3 mg kg–1) intramuscularly (quadriceps muscle). Twenty minutes later sedation was scored with an SDS. Male dogs were induced with midazolam (0.25 mg kg–1) (group M) or an equivalent amount of Hartmann’s solution (group P) and propofol intravenously (IV). Female dogs were induced with propofol alone and were administered midazolam (group M) or Hartmann’s solution (group P) 5 minutes before intraoperative manipulation of the first ovary. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Intraoperative analgesia was provided with morphine (0.3 mg kg–1 IV) prior to the start of surgery. Male dogs were administered intratesticular lidocaine (1 mg kg–1). All dogs were administered meloxicam (0.2 mg kg–1 IV) at the end of the procedure, and recovery was scored with an SDS following extubation and 30 minutes later. Time to extubation, head lift, sternal position and standing and complications during recovery were recorded. Data are presented as median (range). Results: Time to standing was significantly longer in animals in group M [56 (13–179) minutes] than in group P [44 (4–137) minutes], and the early recovery score in group M [3 (2–6)] was overall worse than in group P [3 (1–5)]. Significantly more dogs in group M (n = 30) than in group P (n = 22) displayed hypotension. Conclusions and clinical relevance: The administration of midazolam prolonged time to standing and had a mild negative effect on the quality of recovery in a pooled population of healthy male and female dogs undergoing neutering.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Robertson, Mrs Josephine
• Authors: Kropf, J., and Hughes, J.M. L.
• Subjects: S Agriculture > SF Animal culture > SF600 Veterinary Medicine
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1467-2987
• ISSN (Online): 1467-2995
• Published Online: 10 June 2019