Ability of flumazenil, butorphanol, and naloxone to reverse the anesthetic effects of oxymorphone-diazepam in dogs.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the ability of flumazenil (FLU), butorphanol (BUT), and naloxone (NAL) to reverse the anesthetic effects of oxymorphone-diazepam in dogs.

ANIMALS

6 healthy adult mixed-bread dogs.

PROCEDURE

Dogs were randomly assigned to each of 6 reversal treatment groups. In each experiment, oxymorphone (0.22 mg/kg of body weight, i.v.) and diazepam (0.22 mg/kg. i.v.) were given sequentially 15 minutes after glycopyrrolate (0.01 mg/kg, i.v.) administration. Physiologic saline solution (SAL; 1 ml), FLU (0.01 mg/kg), BUT (0.44 mg/kg), or NAL (0.06 mg/kg) alone, or FLU-BUT or FLU-NAL (same dosages) was given i.v. as a reversal treatment 15 minutes after oxymorphone-diazepam administration. An individual unaware of the treatment protocol recorded time to extubation, sternal recumbency, and walking.

RESULTS

Time to extubation was significantly (P < 0.05) less with BUT, NAL, FLU-BUT, or FLU-NAL treatment, compared with that for SAL treatment. Time to sternal recumbency was less with BUT, NAL, FLU-BUT, or FLU-NAL treatment, compared with that for SAL treatment. Time to walking was less with FLU-BUT or FLU-NAL treatment, compared with that for SAL treatment.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Flumazenil, in combination with BUT or NAL, can be used to reverse the anesthetic effects of oxymorphone-diazepam in dogs.