This study was performed to revaluate the effect of medetomidine HCl as a sedative in dogs. Clinical findings, hematological and blood chemical values were determined after intramuscular injection of medetomidine HCl at a standard dosage of 0.04 mg/kg...
This study was performed to revaluate the effect of medetomidine HCl as a sedative in dogs. Clinical findings, hematological and blood chemical values were determined after intramuscular injection of medetomidine HCl at a standard dosage of 0.04 mg/kg body weight in clinically healthy dogs. Sedative induction and sedation times were observed. Hematological values, total protein (T.P), glucose, aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and blood urea nitrogen(BUN) were analyzed in the condition of 0-, 0.5-, 1- and 3- hour after administration of drug.
The results obtained in the study were as follows ;
1. After injection of medetomidine, all dogs became handlable and the degree of muscle relaxation was good.
2. Sedative induction and sedation times were 7.1 and 58.9 minitues in dogs administered with medetomidine , respectively.
3. Three of 5 dogs administrated with medetomidine showed retch during induction period.
4. Dogs showed urine excretion and mild muscle tremor on recovery time.
5. After injection, heart beat and respiratory rate were greatly decreased (p ≤ 0.01) but body temperature was almost unchanged.
6. Changes of red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit and white blood cells were not significant during or after medetomidine treatment.
7. Serum glucose values were getting increased after medetomidine injection for at least 3 hours.
8. No changes of T.P, AST, ALT and BUN values were observed during or after medetomidine treatment.
Conclusively, treatment of medetomidine produced remarked sedative effect in dogs. No changes in hematological and blood chemical value(T.P, AST, ALT, BUN) were observed.