A simple non-invasive method to measure the cough reflex in dogs.
BACKGROUND
This study describes a method to measure the cough reflex in dogs that is simple to perform, requires no surgical intervention and can be used to profile efficacy and side-effect liabilities of antitussive drugs.


METHODS
Experiments were performed in propofol-anesthetized dogs in which cardiopulmonary functions were non-invasively monitored before and after the induction of cough produced by spraying 0.75 ml of distilled water into the trachea.


RESULTS
The magnitude of the cough response, measured by the frequency and amplitude was not different for individual dogs performed with repeated trials on different days. Treatment with the opioid antitussive drug, torbutrol (0.055-0.0055 mg/kg, s.c.) inhibited the cough frequency but not the amplitude induced by the water challenge. Furthermore, side effects of torbutrol were identified as mild respiratory depression and an anesthetic-sparing effect with propofol.


CONCLUSIONS
This method offers many distinct advantages to evaluate efficacy of antitussive drugs including the fact that no surgery is required, it takes only 15-20 min to complete an experiment, and it can be used to simultaneously profile antitussive and side effect liabilities of drugs developed for the treatment of cough.
Chapman
R W
RW
Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA. richard.chapman@spcorp.com
House
A
A
Skeans
S
S
Lamca
J
J
Egan
R W
RW
Celly
C
C
Hey
J A
JA
D000818:Animals; D000996:Antitussive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000662:veterinary
D000996:Antitussive Agents