A comparison of the sedative and analgesic properties of pethidine (meperidine) and butorphanol in dogs

J Small Anim Pract. 2011 Aug;52(8):426-32. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2011.01085.x.

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the analgesic and sedative effects of butorphanol and pethidine (meperidine) in dogs.

Methods: Twenty-eight female dogs undergoing ovariectomy (20) or ovariohysterectomy (8) were randomly divided into two groups. Pre-anaesthetic medication in group B consisted of 20 μg/kg intramuscular (im) acepromazine and 0·4 mg/kg butorphanol, while group P received 20 μg/kg acepromazine with 5 mg/kg pethidine. The resulting sedation (simple descriptive scale), propofol dose required to induce anaesthesia, several intraoperative cardiorespiratory variables and postoperative pain (Colorado Pain Scoring System) were compared between the two groups. A 0·2 mg/kg meloxicam dose was administered intravenously to all animals at the end of the 4 hours observation period, or earlier if the pain score was more than 13.

Results: Sedation scores, propofol induction doses and intraoperative cardiorespiratory variables were not different between groups. Postoperative pain scores were also similar although one dog in group B required rescue analgesia. Five dogs in group P vomited postoperatively.

Clinical significance: Either butorphanol and pethidine, combined with acepromazine, produced reliable sedation and analgesia up to 4 hours after intramuscular injection in dogs.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Anesthesia / administration & dosage
  • Adjuvants, Anesthesia / pharmacology
  • Analgesics, Opioid / administration & dosage
  • Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Butorphanol / administration & dosage
  • Butorphanol / pharmacology*
  • Dogs / physiology*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / veterinary
  • Female
  • Hysterectomy / veterinary
  • Injections, Intramuscular / veterinary
  • Meperidine / administration & dosage
  • Meperidine / pharmacology*
  • Ovariectomy / veterinary
  • Pain, Postoperative / prevention & control
  • Pain, Postoperative / veterinary*
  • Random Allocation
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Anesthesia
  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Meperidine
  • Butorphanol