Pv. Scrivani et al., EFFECTS OF ACEPROMAZINE AND BUTORPHANOL ON POSITIVE-CONTRAST UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT EXAMINATION IN DOGS, American journal of veterinary research, 59(10), 1998, pp. 1227-1233
Objective-To determine whether acepromazine (ACE) and butorphanol (BUT
) combination can be used for restraint of dogs during positive-contra
st upper gastrointestinal tract (UGIT) examination. Animals-6 healthy
dogs. Procedure-In a randomized crossover design study, weekly UGIT ex
aminations were performed on each dog for 5 weeks after administration
of normal saline solution (0.5 ml), xylazine (1.0 mg/kg of body weigh
t), or a combination of ACE (0.1 mg/kg) and 1 of 3 doses of BUT (0.05,
0.2, 1.0 mg/kg). Gastrointestinal tract emptying time, GI motility, p
ulse, respiratory rate, and quality of restraint were assessed. Result
s-Total gastric emptying time was significantly prolonged by use of an
ACE and BUT (0.05 mg/kg) combination. Xylazine and higher dosages of
BUT significantly prolonged gastric and intestinal emptying times. All
anesthetic protocols significantly decreased motility and facilitated
nonmanual restraint. Xylazine and BUT (1.0 mg/kg) significantly decre
ased pulse and respiratory rate. Conclusion-The ACE and BUT combinatio
n prolonged GI tract emptying times, decreased GI motility, and facili
tated nonmanual restraint for duration of the examination. Although GI
motility was decreased and total gastric emptying time was prolonged,
administration of ACE (0.1 mg/kg) plus BUT (0.05 mg/kg) allowed morph
ologic examination of the GI tract within 5 hours. Xylazine prolonged
GI tract emptying, decreased GI motility, and provided flood to excell
ent initial restraint. Clinical Relevance-The ACE and BUT combination
prohibits functional examination of the GI tract; however, morphologic
examination is possible when low dosages of BUT (0.05 mg/kg) are used
.