title: Clinical evaluation of alfaxalone as an anaesthetic induction agent in dogs less than 12 weeks of age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of alfaxalone as an anaesthetic induction agent for dogs aged less than 12 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group comprised 25 juvenile dogs aged less than 12 weeks that were presented for surgical desexing. Dogs were aged by dentition, examined and weighed prior to premedication with acepromazine, atropine and morphine. At 20-30 min after premedication, animals were anaesthetised with intravenous alfaxalone administered to effect, using a target maximum expected dose of 2  mg/kg. Dogs were intubated and anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen administered with a non-rebreathing system. Subjective measures of anaesthetic quality and vital signs were recorded from enrollment to recovery. Descriptive and comparative statistics were used to analyse and present collected data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (± SD) dose of alfaxalone for induction was 1.7 (± 0.3) mg/kg body weight. Subjective measures of anaesthetic quality indicated acceptable induction, maintenance and recovery standards. Measured cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were well maintained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alfaxalone in 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (Alfaxan®) is a suitable injectable anaesthetic induction agent for dogs aged less than 12 weeks requiring anaesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Jurox Pty Ltd, Rutherford, New South Wales, Australia. brad.ohagan@jurox.com.au
authors.forename: Bj
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: O'Hagan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pasloske
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McKinnon
authors.forename: Nr
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Perkins
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Whittem
mesh_terms: D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011277:Pregnanediones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D056152:Respiratory Rate / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011277:Pregnanediones; C006477:alphaxalone; D010100:Oxygen