Effects of acepromazine on the incidence of vomiting associated with opioid administration in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the anti-emetic properties of acepromazine in dogs receiving opioids as pre-anesthetic medication.


METHODS
Randomized prospective clinical study.


METHODS
One hundred and sixteen dogs (ASA I or II), admitted for elective surgical procedures. The dogs were a mixed population of males and females, purebreds and mixed breeds, 0.25-13.4 years of age, weighing 1.8-57.7 kg.


METHODS
A prospective clinical trial in which the dogs were randomly assigned to one of three groups. All groups received acepromazine (0.05 mg kg(-1) intramuscularly (i.m.)). Group I received acepromazine 15 minutes prior to opioid administration. Group II received acepromazine in combination with the opioid. Group III received acepromazine 15 minutes after opioid administration. One of three different opioids was administered i.m. to each dog: morphine sulfate at 0.5 mg kg(-1); hydromorphone hydrochloride at 0.1 mg kg(-1); or oxymorphone hydrochloride at 0.075 mg kg(-1).


RESULTS
Dogs receiving acepromazine before the opioid (group I) had a significantly lower incidence of vomiting (18%) than dogs in groups II (45%) and III (55%). The degree of sedation was significantly lower in the dogs receiving the combination of acepromazine and the opioid (group II) than in dogs receiving the opioid as the first drug (group III).


CONCLUSIONS
Acepromazine administered 15 minutes before the opioid lowers the incidence of vomiting induced by opioids.
Valverde
Alexander
A
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. valverdea@mail.vetmed.ufl.edu
Cantwell
Shauna
S
Hernández
Jorge
J
Brotherson
Celeste
C
D000075:Acepromazine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication / Q000662:veterinary; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000932:Antiemetics; D000075:Acepromazine