Incidence of seizures associated with the use of acepromazine in dogs undergoing myelography.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the frequency of seizures associated with acepromazine administration when used as a premedicant with methadone for dogs undergoing myelography.

DESIGN:

Retrospective clinical case study.

SETTING:

University veterinary teaching hospital.

ANIMALS:

Sixty-six dogs (mixed and pure breeds), aged between 4 months and 15 years, weighing between 3.5-61 kg. All animals were classified as ASA score I or II.

INTERVENTIONS:

Forty-three animals were premedicated with methadone (0.1-0.5 mg/kg) and acepromazine (0.01-0.05 mg/kg) intramuscularly. Twenty-three animals were premedicated with methadone alone (0.1-0.5 mg/kg) intramuscularly. Anesthesia was induced with propofol intravenously and maintained with isoflurane delivered in 100% oxygen. All animals received a balanced isotonic crystalloid solution intravenously at a rate of 10 mL/kg/h. Blood pressure, end-tidal CO(2) , oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and heart rate were monitored throughout anesthesia. Animals requiring surgery immediately following myelography were excluded from the study.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

The frequency of seizures was 14% (CI: 3.6-24.3%) and 13.0% (CI: 0.7-27%) in dogs that received methadone/acepromazine and methadone alone, respectively. There was no significant difference in the frequency of seizures between dogs receiving methadone/acepromazine or methadone alone (P = 1). Analysis of the association of site of injection of the contrast and the frequency of seizures in dogs receiving methadone/acepromazine showed no significant difference in the frequency of seizures following cervical injection (25%; CI: 0.5-24.5%) or lumbar injection (9.7%; CI: -0.7-20.1%).

CONCLUSIONS:

The administration of acepromazine combined with methadone as a premedicant used with propofol and isoflurane anesthesia did not significantly increase the frequency of seizures following myelography compared to dogs who received methadone alone.

• Authors: Eleanor A Drynan, Peter Gray, Anthea L Raisis
• Journal: Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001) (J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio)) Vol. 22 Issue 2 Pg. 262-6 (Apr 2012) ISSN: 1476-4431 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22487256 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2012.

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Opioid
• Dopamine Antagonists
• Acepromazine
• Methadone

Topics

• Acepromazine (adverse effects)
• Analgesics, Opioid (administration & dosage)
• Animals
• Dog Diseases (chemically induced)
• Dogs
• Dopamine Antagonists (adverse effects)
• Female
• Male
• Methadone (administration & dosage)
• Myelography (veterinary)
• Premedication (adverse effects, methods, veterinary)
• Retrospective Studies
• Seizures (chemically induced, veterinary)