title: Dose-response of intravenous butorphanol to increase visceral nociceptive threshold in dogs.
abstract: This study was designed to determine the effective analgesic dose of butorphanol administered intravenously to obtund visceral nociception, as well as to determine duration of this effect. Additionally, cardiovascular changes and sedative effects were defined. Eight healthy dogs were each given five doses of butorphanol (0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/kg) plus a sterile water placebo intravenously in a randomized blinded format. Antinociception was assessed using an inflatable Silastic balloon inserted into the colon. Blood pressures and pulse rates were measured with a noninvasive monitor. The greatest efficacy and longest duration of antinociception were produced by 0.4 mg/kg of butorphanol, with a duration of 38 +/- 9 min. Arterial blood pressure and pulse rate did not vary at antinociceptive doses. Mild sedation was observed at all doses, which generally lasted longer than the antinociceptive effects. These data suggest that butorphanol can be given alone intravenously to provide visceral antinociception lasting 30-45 min without significant side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1314.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Houghton
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Rech
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Sawyer
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Durham
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Langham
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Striler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002077:Butorphanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects*; D014781:Viscera / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002077:Butorphanol