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Cardiovascular and Respiratory Effects of Medetomidine in Dogs and Influence of Anticholinergics

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica volume 30, pages 401–408 (1989)Cite this article

Abstract

A total of 10 laboratory beagles was used to determine the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of medetomidine. The effects of atropine sulphate and glycopyr-rolate on heart rate were also observed. Xylazine was included as a positive control. Medetomidine induced initial hypertension followed by a longer lasting hypotensive period. Evident bradycardia with second degree atrioventricular blocks and decrease in respiratory frequency was observed. Atropine sulphate and glyco-pyrrolate transiently abolished the bradycardic effect of medetomidine. Xylazine exhibited a similar cardiovascular and respiratory pattern to medetomidine.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Assoc. Prof. Pekka Laippala for his statistical advise and to Mrs. Päivi Kontinpää and Mrs. Merja Ojala for their skilful technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center, Farmos Group Ltd., P. O. Box 425, SF-20101, Turku, Finland

    Outi Vainio & Liisa Palmu

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  1. Outi Vainio
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  2. Liisa Palmu
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Vainio, O., Palmu, L. Cardiovascular and Respiratory Effects of Medetomidine in Dogs and Influence of Anticholinergics. Acta Vet Scand 30, 401–408 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03548016

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Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

ISSN: 1751-0147