Sedative effects of intramuscular alfaxalone in pet guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus).
Vet Anaesth Analg
; 45(2): 183-189, 2018 Mar.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29398530
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of alfaxalone administered intramuscularly (IM) as a sedative agent in guinea pigs undergoing survey radiographs. STUDYDESIGN:
Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS A total of 30 client-owned guinea pigs.METHODS:
Following baseline assessments, 5 mg kg-1 alfaxalone was administered IM. Heart rate, arterial haemoglobin oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, rectal body temperature, palpebral reflex, response to toe and ear pinch, righting reflex, posture, jaw tone and reaction to manipulation were assessed before and after sedation at 5-minute intervals. The time elapsed from onset of sedation to return of locomotion and coordinated limb movements, the quality of recovery and the occurrence of undesired effects were observed and recorded.RESULTS:
The mean ± standard deviation onset of sedation was 2.7 ± 0.6 minutes. The physiological variables remained within normal ranges until completion of the procedure. Palpebral reflex and responsiveness to both ear and toe pinch were maintained during sedation. Neither hypoxaemia nor hypothermia was observed. The duration of sedation was 29.3 ± 3.2 minutes. Sedation and recovery were uneventful, and adverse effects were not observed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In conclusion, 5 mg kg-1 of IM alfaxalone represents a valuable sedation protocol for healthy guinea pigs undergoing minor noninvasive procedures. Further trials are required to investigate its cardiovascular effects, clinical usefulness in unhealthy patients and its combined use with analgesics for procedures associated with nociception.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pregnanediones
/
Guinea Pigs
/
Hypnotics and Sedatives
/
Anesthesia
Type of study:
Guideline
/
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Vet Anaesth Analg
Journal subject:
ANESTESIOLOGIA
/
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
Year:
2018
Document type:
Article