Romifidine as a premedicant to propofol induction and infusion anaesthesia in the dog

Abstract

The effects of premedication with four different intravenous doses of romifidine (20, 40, 80 and 120 micrograms/kg bodyweight) and a saline placebo were compared in a group of 20 adult beagles of both sexes, undergoing anaesthesia with propofol for a clinical dental procedure. Anaesthesia was induced 10 minutes after premedication and maintained by intravenous infusion of propofol for a period of 30 minutes. Romifidine had a marked synergistic effect with propofol and reduced the required induction and infusion doses by more than 60 per cent for a standard level of anaesthesia; the synergistic effect was dose related. Following premedication, propofol produced no significant alteration of respiratory rate, heart rate or rectal temperature. Anaesthesia was found to be more stable following romifidine premedication at all doses studied. The quality of induction was unaltered by the dose of the romifidine. Recovery from anaesthesia was smooth and of a similar quality in all cases. There were no differences in the recovery times between the unpremedicated group and the dogs premedicated with any dose of romifidine studied. There were no adverse effects noted following this anaesthetic regimen. The marked dose-related synergism with propofol induction and infusion anaesthesia is relevant should romifidine be used in the dog in clinical veterinary practice.

Sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of three doses of romifidine in comparison with medetomidine in five cats

“…There have been several studies of its use in dogs (England and others 1996a, b, England and Hammond 1997, England and Thompson 1997, Lemke 1999, 2001, Pypendop and Verstegen 2001, Melissa and others 2002), but few reports of its use in cats (Gomez-Villamandos and others 1994, Verstegen and others 1995, Selmi and others 2004, Belda 2005). …”

Romifidine or medetomidine premedication before propofol‐sevoflurane anaesthesia in dogs

“…The RR of dogs in all protocols during sedation was reduced. A dose‐related depression of RR in romifidine‐sedated dogs has been previously reported (England et al. , 1996b; Sinclair, 2003).…”

“…Marked synergism between premedication with α 2‐agonist sedatives and propofol has been reported, demonstrated by a dose‐related reduction in induction and infusion requirements for propofol (Cullen & Reynoldson, 1993; Hammond & England, 1994; England et al. , 1996b).…”

“…Intravenous administration of propofol provided excitement‐free induction of anaesthesia in all dogs (England et al. , 1996b; Redondo et al.…”

“…The percentage of sevoflurane required to maintain an adequate plane of anaesthesia was similar for R80 and MED; R40 required EtSEV statistically higher. Synergism between α 2‐agonists and propofol, thiopentone and halothane has been reported (Cullen & Reynoldson, 1993; Hammond & England, 1994; England et al. , 1996b).…”