Antimuscarinic premedication in canine anaesthesia: a comparison of atropine, hyoscine and glycopyrrolate

Anticholinergic drugs are commonly given as preanaesthetic medication to reduce secretions and bradycardia. In this trial, clinical cases were given atropine, hyoscine or glycopyrrolate on a logarithmic dose scale. Another group was not given any anticholinergic agent. Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone and maintained with halothane in oxygen and nitrous oxide. All the anticholinergic drugs decreased salivation although there was also a small fall in salivation in the control group. Pulse rates rose on induction and fell over the course of anaesthesia in the control group but the mean pulse rates did not fall below the normal range. Atropine and hyoscine produced a tachycardia followed by a fall in pulse rate similar to the control group during anaesthesia. Glycopyrrolate maintained the pulse at the same level throughout. In view of the disadvantages of tachycardia, glycopyrrolate is probably the anticholinergic agent of choice when such a drug is indicated.