title: Dose-sparing effects of romifidine premedication for thiopentone and halothane anaesthesia in the dog.
abstract: Two intravenous doses of romlfidine (40 and 80 micrograms/kg) and a placebo were compared as premedicants for anaesthesia induced with thiopentone and maintained using halothane in oxygen. Romifidine significantly and linearly reduced the induction dose of thiopentone; placebo-treated dogs required 15.1 +/- 3.6 mg/kg, while dogs treated with 40 micrograms/kg and 80 micrograms/kg romifidine required 6.5 +/- 1.6 and 3.9 +/- 0.3 mg/kg thiopentone, respectively. Romifidine also significantly and linearly reduced the end tidal halothane concentration necessary to maintain a predetermined level of anaesthesia; placebo-treated dogs required 1.6 +/- 0.3 per cent halothane, while dogs treated with 40 micrograms/kg and 80 micrograms/kg romifidine required 1.3 +/- 0.4 and 0.8 +/- 0.2 per cent, respectively. Romifidine produced a significant shortening in the recovery from anaesthesia, and the higher dose of romifidine significantly improved the overall quality of anaesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Farm Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: England
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hammond
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006221:Halothane / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013874:Thiopental / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D007093:Imidazoles; C076257:romifidine; D013874:Thiopental; D006221:Halothane