Comparison between intravenous lidocaine and fentanyl on cough reflex and sympathetic response during endotracheal intubation in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of intravenous (IV) lidocaine and fentanyl on the cough reflex and autonomic response during endotracheal intubation in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, blinded, superiority clinical trial. ANIMALS: A total of 46 client-owned dogs undergoing magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS: After intramuscular methadone (0.2 mg kg-1), dogs were randomized to be administered either IV lidocaine (2 mg kg-1; group L) or fentanyl (7 µg kg-1; group F). After 5 minutes, alfaxalone was administered until endotracheal intubation was possible (1 mg kg-1 IV over 40 seconds followed by 0.4 mg kg-1 increments to effect). Total dose of alfaxalone was recorded and cough reflex at endotracheal intubation was scored. Heart rate (HR) was continuously recorded, Doppler systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP) was measured every 20 seconds. Vasovagal tonus index (VVTI) and changes (Δ) in HR, SAP and VVTI between pre-intubation and intubation were calculated. Groups were compared using univariate and multivariate analysis. Statistical significance was set as p < 0.05. RESULTS: Group F included 22 dogs and group L 24 dogs. The mean (± standard deviation) alfaxalone dose was 1.1 (± 0.2) and 1.35 (± 0.3) mg kg-1 in groups F and L, respectively (p = 0.0008). At intubation, cough was more likely in group L (odds ratio = 11.3; 95% confidence intervals, 2.1 - 94.2; p = 0.01) and HR increased in 87.5% and 54.5% of groups L and F, respectively (p = 0.02). The median (range) ΔHR between pre-intubation and intubation was higher (13.1%; - 4.3 to + 55.1) in group L (p = 0.0021). Between groups, SAP and VVTI were similar. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: At the stated doses, whilst reducing the alfaxalone dose, fentanyl is superior to lidocaine in suppressing the cough reflex and blunting the increase in HR at endotracheal intubation in dogs premedicated with methadone.

Peripheral nerve block versus systemic analgesia in dogs undergoing tibial plateau levelling osteotomy: Analgesic efficacy and pharmacoeconomics comparison.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative effects and pharmacoeconomics of peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) versus fentanyl target-controlled infusion (fTCI) in dogs undergoing tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized clinical study. ANIMALS: A total of 39 dogs undergoing unilateral TPLO. METHODS: After acepromazine and methadone, anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. Dogs were allocated to group fTCI [target plasma concentration (TPC) 1 ng mL-1] or group PNB (nerve stimulator-guided femoral-sciatic block using 0.2 and 0.1 mL kg-1 of levobupivacaine 0.5%, respectively). If nociceptive response occurred, isoflurane was increased by 0.1%, and TPC was increased by 0.5 ng mL-1 in group fTCI; a fentanyl bolus (1 µg kg-1) was administered in group PNB. During the first 24 postoperative hours, methadone (0.2 mg kg-1) was administered intramuscularly according to the Short Form Glasgow Composite Pain Scale, or if pain was equal to 5/24 or 4/20 for two consecutive assessments, or if the dog was non-weight bearing. The area under the curve (AUC) of pain scores, cumulative postoperative methadone requirement, food intake and pharmacoeconomic implications were calculated. RESULTS: Incidence of bradycardia (p = 0.025), nociceptive response to surgery (p = 0.041) and AUC of pain scores (p < 0.0001) were greater in group fTCI. Postoperatively, 16/19 (84.2%) and eight/20 (40%) dogs in groups fTCI and PNB, respectively, were given at least one dose of methadone (p = 0.0079). Food intake was greater in group PNB (p = 0.049). Although total cost was not different (p = 0.083), PNB was more cost-effective in dogs weighing >15 kg. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Compared with group fTCI, incidence of bradycardia, nociceptive response to surgery, postoperative pain scores, cumulative methadone requirement were lower, and food intake was greater in group PNB, with an economic advantage in dogs weighing >15 kg.