A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Effect of the Huiyangjiuzhen Acupuncture Technique on Dogs Recovering From Tiletamine-Zolazepam-Dexmedetomidine-Induced Anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND

Anaesthesia-associated complications are problematic in veterinary practice; acupuncture can facilitate post-anaesthesia recovery in dogs.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Huiyangjiuzhen acupuncture technique (HAT) on dogs' recovery from general anaesthesia.

METHODS

Ten healthy female dogs were induced by tiletamine-zolazepam (5 mg/kg) and dexmedetomidine (5 µg/kg) intramuscularly, followed by orotracheal intubation. Both control treatment (CT) and acupuncture treatment (AT) groups were connected to a volume-controlled mechanical ventilator. For AT, needles were placed on nine acupoints and manually stimulated (T). Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, rectal temperature (RT), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO), end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures were recorded every 5 min.

RESULTS

The time of first spontaneous breath (p < 0.05), the presence of swallowing reflex (p < 0.05) and attempt of head-lifting (p < 0.05) were significantly shorter in the AT group than in the CT group. The decrease in HR at T when compared to T was significant less in the AT group than in the CT group and was significantly higher in the AT group at T and T (p < 0.05), as was RT (p < 0.05). SpO increased significantly in the AT group at T (p < 0.05), T (p < 0.01) and immediately before extubating (p < 0.01) compared to that in the CT group.

CONCLUSIONS

The HAT improves recovery from anaesthesia in dogs by shortening the time of regaining spontaneous breath, swallowing reflex, head-lifting and standing. It also facilitated normal HR, oxygenation and RT maintenance. HAT application to improve the quality of recovery is clinically relevant in anaesthetised dogs.