Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cardiorespiratory effects of epidural morphine and fentanyl
By Naganobu, Kiyokazu et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2004·Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cardiorespiratory effects of epidural administration of morphine and fentanyl in dogs anesthetized with sevoflurane.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Six dogs were given anesthesia with sevoflurane for a procedure, and researchers wanted to see how epidural morphine alone or with fentanyl affected their heart and breathing. They found that morphine alone didn't change much, but when combined with fentanyl, it lowered blood pressure and heart rate, and increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Thankfully, none of the dogs experienced any side effects like vomiting or trouble urinating after waking up from anesthesia. This study suggests that while morphine and fentanyl can help with pain, they may also affect heart and breathing function in dogs.
People also search for: dog anesthesia side effects · epidural morphine for dogs · sevoflurane anesthesia effects on dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the cardiorespiratory effects of epidural administration of morphine alone and in combination with fentanyl in dogs anesthetized with sevoflurane. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 6 dogs. PROCEDURE: Dogs were anesthetized with sevoflurane and allowed to breathe spontaneously. After a stable plane of anesthesia was achieved, morphine (0.1 mg/kg [0.045 mg/lb]) or a combination of morphine and fentanyl (10 microg/kg [4.5 microg/lb]) was administered through an epidural catheter, the tip of which was positioned at the level of L6 or L7. Cardiorespiratory variables were measured for 90 minutes. RESULTS: Epidural administration of morphine alone did not cause any significant changes in cardiorespiratory measurements. However, epidural administration of morphine and fentanyl induced significant decreases in diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures and total peripheral resistance. Stroke volume was unchanged, PaCO2 was significantly increased, and arterial pH and base excess were significantly decreased. Heart rate was significantly lower after epidural administration of morphine and fentanyl than after administration of morphine alone. None of the dogs had any evidence of urine retention, vomiting, or pruritus after recovery from anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that epidural administration of morphine at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg in combination with fentanyl at a dose of 10 microg/kg can cause cardiorespiratory depression in dogs anesthetized with sevoflurane.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14710878/