Effect of Metoclopramide on the Incidence of Early Postoperative Aspiration Pneumonia in Dogs with Acquired Idiopathic Laryngeal Paralysis.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the effect of a perioperative intravenous continuous rate infusion (CRI) of metoclopramide on the incidence of aspiration pneumonia in the short term postoperative period in dogs undergoing unilateral arytenoid lateralization.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, multi-center clinical trial.


METHODS
61 client-owned dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis and normal preoperative thoracic radiographs.


METHODS
All dogs underwent unilateral arytenoid lateralization with a uniform anesthetic, analgesic, and management protocol. Dogs in the treatment group received an intravenous CRI of metoclopramide for 24 hours perioperative. All dogs were assessed for clinical signs of aspiration pneumonia based on the results of physical examination and owner interview up to the point of suture removal (10-14 days postoperative). Any dog with suspected aspiration pneumonia had thoracic radiographs performed.


RESULTS
Six dogs developed aspiration pneumonia in the short term postoperative period (2/28 control dogs and 4/33 treated dogs), accounting for an overall frequency of 10% with no significant difference between control and treated dogs. No variables measured in the study were significantly different between control and treated dogs.


CONCLUSIONS
Perioperative metoclopramide, at the doses used in this study, did not affect the incidence of aspiration pneumonia in the short term postoperative period in dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis undergoing unilateral arytenoid lateralization.
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
Milan
M
Milovancev
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
Katy
K
Townsend
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
Jason
J
Spina
Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center, Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Connie
C
Hurley
Ocean State Veterinary Specialists, East Greenwich, Rhode Island.
S Christopher
SC
Ralphs
Veterinary Specialty Hospital of the Carolinas, Cary, North Carolina.
Brian
B
Trumpatori
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
Bernard
B
Seguin
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Kieri
K
Jermyn
D000818:Animals; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D015994:Incidence; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*
D000932:Antiemetics; D008787:Metoclopramide