Comparison of neurologic responses to the use of medetomidine as a sole agent or preanesthetic in laboratory beagles

Abstract

Different dose regimens of medetomidine (a potent alpha 2-adrenergic agonist), adding up to a combined dose of 80 micrograms/kg, were administered to laboratory beagles to determine physiologic responses including neurologic. The study was intended to determine EEG responses where sufficient sedative and analgesic effects are reached with medetomidine and in contrast its effects when used with ketamine or halothane. Cardiopulmonary responses were very similar in each dose regimen, showing the characteristic properties of single doses of 80 micrograms/kg of medetomidine. Effective sedative and analgesic duration seemed to be a function of when the largest dose was administered. Adequate additional sedative and analgesic could be gained from injections at doses of half of the initial one. The potent sedative and analgesic effects of medetomidine confirmed by neurologic evaluation supports its potential use as a premedication to general anesthesia in dogs. In this study, 2 different doses of medetomidine were also tested as premedication to both ketamine HCI and halothane anesthesia. Neorologic responses were determined at the same time cardiopulmonary parameters, anesthetic quality, and dose requirements were recorded. Medetomidine was found to have favorable qualities in conjunction with these anesthetics. Cardiopulmonary parameters remained satisfactory in both groups as preanesthetic medication prior to halothane, but no additional benefits could be seen from doses of 40 micrograms/kg medetomidine compared to 20 micrograms/kg, except a significant 30% reduction in halothane requirement. The positive chronotropic and inotropic properties of ketamine restored the medetomidine-induced bradycardia and produced a short anesthetic period of 15 to 30 min depending on the dose of medetomidine. The quality of anesthesia was better when 40 micrograms/kg medetomidine was used, but recovery was quicker with 20 micrograms/kg medetomidine. Medetomidine significantly reduced cerebral activity as demonstrated by recordings of total amplitude and frequency evaluation of the EEG with compressed spectral analysis. This analytical method was effective in confirming clinical signs of sedation, analgesia, and anesthesia in canine subjects.