title: A study to evaluate buprenorphine at 40 μg kg(-1)  compared to 20 μg kg(-1)  as a post-operative analgesic in the dog.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Comparison of the analgesic effect of buprenorphine at 20 or 40 μg kg(-1) .
  
  
  METHODS
  An investigator 'blinded', randomised study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty six dogs presented for ovariohysterectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs were premedicated intramuscularly with acepromazine 0.03 mg kg(-1) and buprenorphine at either 20 (B20, n = 12) or 40 μg kg(-1) (B40, n = 14) followed by anaesthetic induction with propofol and maintenance with isoflurane. During anaesthesia non invasive blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, inspired and expired volatile agent, end-tidal carbon dioxide and ECG were recorded. Pain and sedation were assessed using interactive VAS scores; mechanical nociceptive thresholds were measured at the wound and hindlimb--all were assessed before and up to 22 hours after administration. Carprofen was used for rescue analgesia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the two groups for any of the parameters examined. Rescue analgesia was required around 5 hours after administration of buprenorphine in a significant number of animals. Sedation was good preoperatively and scores decreased over time postoperatively. Hock thresholds did not change over time; wound thresholds decreased significantly compared to the baseline value from 3 hours onwards.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of buprenorphine at either 20 or 40 μg kg(-1) IM with acepromazine provided good pre-operative sedation. Cardiovascular and respiratory values remained within clinically acceptable limits during anaesthesia. There was no evidence that increasing dose increased adverse events that may be associated with opioid administration (e.g. bradycardia and respiratory depression).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increasing the dose of buprenorphine from 20 to 40 μg kg(-1) did not provide any benefits with respect to analgesia after ovariohysterectomy as assessed using the VAS scoring system.
authors: School of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol, UK. louisa.slingsby@bristol.ac.uk
authors: Louisa S
authors: LS
authors: Slingsby
authors: Polly M
authors: PM
authors: Taylor
authors: Joanna C
authors: JC
authors: Murrell
mesh_terms: D000075:Acepromazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000662:veterinary; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011292:Premedication / Q000662:veterinary*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D002047:Buprenorphine; D000075:Acepromazine