EFFECTS OF TILETAMINE ZOLAZEPAM PREMEDICATION ON PROPOFOL ANESTHESIA IN DOGS/

The cardiovascular and pulmonary effects of tiletamine/zolazepam, prop ofol and tiletamine/zolazepam plus propofol were studied in five mongr el dogs. A cannula inserted into a raised carotid artery was used to m easure mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate continuously and to collect arterial blood for the determination of pH, PO2, PCO2, bicarb onate and base balance. Respiratory frequency and rectal temperature w ere also recorded, In the two propofol groups premedication had no sig nificant effect on the time to rejection of an endotracheal tube and t he return to sternal recumbency. The MAP and heart rate increased afte r tiletamine/zolazepam alone and after tiletamine/zolazepam plus propo fol, although propofol alone reduced MAP and transiently increased hea rt rate. Respiratory frequency decreased transiently in both propofol groups in association with a significant increase in PaCO2 and decreas e in PaO2. The most notable change was the hyperaemia in the tiletamin e/zolazepam plus propofol group in which the PaO2 was reduced, In all the dogs given tiletamine/zolazepam alone undesirable side effects wer e observed, effects which also occurred during the recovery of the dog s given tiletamine/zolazepam plus propofol.