Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How sedatives affect tear production in dogs
By Dodam et al.·Published in Veterinary Ophthalmology·1998·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Effects of intramuscular sedative and opioid combinations on tear production in dogs
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs was tested to see how different sedation combinations affected tear production. After receiving sedatives like acepromazine and oxymorphone, or diazepam and butorphanol, the dogs showed a significant drop in tear production compared to those that didn't receive any sedatives. The combination of xylazine and butorphanol caused the most reduction in tear production, so it's recommended to use eye lubricant during sedation with these drugs. This means if your dog needs sedation with these medications, they might need extra care for their eyes afterward.
People also search for: dog sedation eye problems · why is my dog’s eye dry after sedation · xylazine butorphanol side effects in dogs
Abstract
The effect of commonly used sedation protocols on tear production rate was evaluated in dogs. Schirmer I tear tests were examined before and after intramuscular injection of acepromazine and oxymorphone (ACE + OXY;n = 7), diazepam and butorphanol (DIA + BUT;n = 8), and xylazine and butorphanol (XYL + BUT;n = 8). Two Schirmer I tear tests were also performed 15–25 min apart in dogs which received no sedative drugs (control;n = 4). Tear production rate decreased to 15 ± 2, 17 ± 1, and 6 ± 1 mm min−1, respectively, while control animals averaged 21 ± 2 mm min−1at the same time point. Because XYL + BUT profoundly decreased tear production rate, we evaluated the two drugs separately. While BUT mildly decreased tear production when given alone to dogs (18 ± 1 mm min−1;n = 5), xylazine had no effect on tear production. Thus it appears that the two agents act synergistically to decrease tear production rate in dogs. Moreover, sterile ocular lubricant or tear replacement should be used during XYL + BUT sedation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1463-5224.1998.00005.x