title: Alpha-chloralose as a canine anesthetic.
abstract: Since its initial description in 1893, alpha-chloralose has undergone extensive pharmacologic evaluation. It has been characterized as a compound possessing potent CNS activity and has been evaluated in humans and animal models for its therapeutic properties. Though the toxicity of the compound prohibits its use as a human therapeutic agent, it has been employed widely as an animal anesthetic in the laboratory setting. A thorough search of the literature reveals that alpha-chloralose is second only to sodium pentobarbital as the primary anesthetic agent in acute cardiovascular studies where the preservation of myocardial function is a primary consideration. The literature also shows that alpha-chloralose is the subject of much controversy. The question as to whether alpha-chloralose is a true anesthetic or an immobilizing agent with sedative-hypnotic properties has important implications in light of the current emphasis on ethics in animal research.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Diseases Research Laboratory, Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, MI.
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Holzgrefe
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Everitt
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000818:Animals; D002698:Chloralose; D004285:Dogs; D007256:Information Systems; D008523:MEDLARS; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D002698:Chloralose