title: The effects of acupuncture point Pericardium 6 on hydromorphone-induced nausea and vomiting in healthy dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of needling at acupuncture point Pericardium 6 on hydromorphone-induced nausea and vomiting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-one mixed-breed, healthy dogs aged 1.8 ± 1.6 years and weighing 14.5 ± 5.6 kg, admitted for elective ovariohysterectomy (n = 75) or castration (n = 6).
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs were randomly assigned to one of three groups: acupuncture at Pericardium 6 (AT, n = 27); alternative acupuncture at Lung 5 (ST, n = 27), and no acupuncture (CT, n = 27). During time 0-30 minutes (baseline), occurrences of hypersalivation, vomiting and licking were recorded. At 30 minutes, subjects were administered hydromorphone (0.1 mg kg(-1) ) in combination with acepromazine (0.03 mg kg(-1) ) intramuscularly. During time 30-45 minutes (post-injection), occurrences of hypersalivation, vomiting and licking were recorded by an observer unaware of group assignment. Groups were compared using a Kruskal-Wallis test followed by a Dunn's post-test, or Fisher's exact tests when appropriate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in age, weight or baseline observations among groups. Vomiting incidence post-injection was higher in the CT (20/27, 74.1%) and ST (22/27, 81.5%) groups than in the AT (10/27, 37.0%) group (p = 0.0129 and p = 0.002, respectively). The number of vomiting episodes [median (range)] after opioid administration was higher in the ST [1 (1-6)] than the AT [0 (0-2)] group (p = 0.0040). There were no differences in the median number of vomiting episodes between the ST and CT [1 (0-3)] or AT and CT groups. There were no differences in hypersalivation or licking among groups after hydromorphone-acepromazine administration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pericardium 6 acupuncture reduced the incidence of hydromorphone-induced vomiting in healthy dogs. This cost-effective technique can improve patient well-being and comfort during the perioperative period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Scallan
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies.
authors.forename: Bradley T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Simon
mesh_terms: D000075:Acepromazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D004091:Hydromorphone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D010496:Pericardium; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000075:Acepromazine; D004091:Hydromorphone
keywords: acupuncture; dog; hydromorphone; opioid; vomiting