Affiliation: | 1. Department of Companion Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa;2. Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa |
Abstract: | ObjectiveTo compare the effects of thiopentone, propofol and alfaxalone on arytenoid cartilage motion and establish the dose rates to achieve a consistent oral laryngoscopy examination.Study designRandomised crossover study.AnimalsSix healthy adult Beagle dogs.MethodsEach dog was randomly administered three induction agents with a 1-week washout period between treatments. Thiopentone (7.5 mg kg?1), propofol (3 mg kg?1) or alfaxalone (1.5 mg kg?1) was administered over 1 minute for induction of anaesthesia. If the dog was deemed inadequately anaesthetised, then supplemental boluses of 1.8, 0.75 and 0.4 mg kg?1 were administered, respectively. Continual examination of the larynx, using a laryngoscope, commenced once an adequate anaesthetic depth was reached until examination end point. The number of arytenoid motions and vital breaths were counted during three time periods and compared over time and among treatments. Data were analysed using Friedman and Mann–Whitney U tests, Spearman rho and a linear mixed model with post hoc pairwise comparison with Tukey correction.ResultsThe median (range) induction and examination times were 2.8 (2.0–3.0), 2.7 (2.0–3.3) and 2.5 (1.7–3.3) minutes (p = 0.727); and 14.1 (8.0–41.8), 5.4 (3.3–14.8) and 8.5 (3.8–31.6) minutes (p = 0.016) for thiopentone, propofol and alfaxalone, respectively. The median dose rates required to achieve an adequate anaesthetic depth were 6.3 (6.0–6.6), 2.4 (2.4–2.4) and 1.2 (1.2–1.2) mg kg?1 minute?1, respectively. There was no significant difference for the total number of arytenoid motions (p = 0.662) or vital breaths (p = 0.789) among induction agents.Conclusion and clinical relevanceThe number of arytenoid motions were similar among the induction agents. However, at the dose rates used in this study, propofol provided adequate conditions for evaluation of the larynx with a shorter examination time which may be advantageous during laryngoscopy in dogs. |