Ropinirole has similar efficacy to apomorphine for induction of emesis and removal of foreign and toxic gastric material in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: Assess efficacy of ropinirole versus apomorphine in inducing vomiting in dogs. ANIMALS: 279 client-owned dogs with known or suspected ingestion of a foreign material (n = 129) or toxin (150) between August 2021 and February 2022. PROCEDURES: In this non-randomized non-controlled clinical trial, ropinirole topical ophthalmic solution was applied to dogs' eyes, with a target dose of 3.75 mg/m2. A second dose was administered after 15 minutes based on clinician discretion. Reversal with metoclopramide was provided based on clinician discretion. Results of ropinirole's efficacy were compared to previous literature assessing the efficacy of apomorphine. RESULTS: Of 279 dogs, 255 (91.4%) vomited after ropinirole administration, including 116 of the 129 dogs (89.9%) dogs that ingested foreign material and 139 of the 150 dogs (92.7%) that ingested toxins. Success of emesis did not differ between groups. With a single dose of ropinirole, 78.9% produced vomit. Fifty-nine dogs received 2 doses of ropinirole, resulting in 79.7% that produced vomit. Overall, 74.2% of the dogs vomited all the expected ingested material. Average time to emesis was 11.0 minutes with 50% of dogs vomiting within 7 to 18 minutes. Adverse effects were observed for 17.0% of dog and were self-limiting. Ropinirole was less effective than apomorphine in inducing vomiting (91.4% ropinirole, 95.6% apomorphine [P < .0001]) and equally effective at evacuating all ingested material (74.2% ropinirole, 75.6% apomorphine [P = .245]). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ropinirole ophthalmic solution is a safe and effective emetic for use in dogs. It has a small but statistically significant decrease in efficacy compared to IV apomorphine.

Efficacy of intravenous administration of apomorphine for removal of gastric foreign material in dogs: 495 cases (2010-2015).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of IV administration of apomorphine for removal of gastric foreign bodies in dogs. ANIMALS: 495 dogs with gastric foreign bodies. PROCEDURES: Records of a veterinary hospital were searched to identify dogs that received an injectable formulation of apomorphine between January 1, 2010, and July 30, 2015. Dogs with a gastric foreign body that received an IV injection of apomorphine were included in the study. Information extracted from the record of each dog included signalment, type of foreign material ingested, duration between foreign material ingestion and emesis, dose and number of doses of apomorphine administered, and whether emesis occurred and did or did not result in successful removal of the foreign body. Descriptive data were compared between dogs with and without successful foreign body removal. RESULTS: Emesis with successful foreign body removal was achieved in 363 and 11 dogs after administration of 1 and 2 doses of apomorphine, respectively. Successful removal was more likely for young dogs and dogs that had ingested fabric, leather, or bathroom waste. Successful removal was less likely as the duration between foreign body ingestion and emesis increased and for dogs that received opioids, sedatives, or antiemetics before apomorphine administration. Minor adverse effects were recorded for only 4 dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVLANCE: IV administration of apomorphine was a viable alternative for induction of emesis and removal of gastric foreign bodies in dogs. Dogs should be examined as soon as possible after foreign body ingestion and should not receive any medications that might affect apomorphine efficacy.