Evaluation of anaesthetic indices and physiological variables following total intravenous anaesthesia with Acepromazine-Butorphanol-Propofol combination in dogs

Abstract

The study determined the anaesthetic and physiological effects of Acepromazine-Butorphanol-Propofol (ABP-combination) and propofol alone (PRO alone) in dogs. Ten clinically healthy dogs were randomly assigned to two groups to evaluate the anaesthetic and physiological effects following ABP-combination and PRO-alone anaesthesia administered intravenously (iv). Acepromazine at 0.02mg/kg and Butorphanol at 0.05mg/kg iv were used to premedicate the dogs and Propofol at 4mg/kg for induction five minutes after premedication in ABP-combination group while Propofol alone at 6mg/kg for total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) induction without premedication. Onset of anaesthesia, duration of anaesthesia time to standing, onset and duration of analgesia and duration of intubation were measured, whereas temperature, heart rate and respiratory rates were measured before induction of anaesthesia and at five minutes interval during anaesthesia. All the anaesthetic indices were significantly (p<0.05) different between groups while onset and duration of analgesia was recorded in ABP group only. Significantly (p<0.05) longer duration of anaesthesia was produced by ABP-combination compared with PRO-alone. Time to standing were significantly different (p<0.05) between the two treatments. The onset and duration of analgesia was 5.0±2.0 and 33.6±3.2 min. following ABP combination but no analgesia recorded with PRO-alone. There was significant decrease (p<0.05) in rectal temperature and respiratory rate from the baseline in ABP-combination group but not significant in PRO-alone group. There was significant (p<0.05) difference in heart rates between groups. ABP-combination TIVA provided longer duration of anaesthesia and analgesia with minimal effects on vital parameters. The dogs recovered from the anaesthesia uneventfully. The ABP-combination can be evaluated for clinical procedures in dog.