CARE104.

01

Dog Anesthesia

The intent of this procedure is to describe commonly used methods to anesthetize

dogs. This procedure is intended for use by CARE staff and investigators who
anesthetize dogs. This procedure is approved by the Cornell Institutional Animal
Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the Cornell Center for Animal Resources and
Education (CARE). Any exemption must be approved by the IACUC prior to its
application.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Introduction
Materials
Procedures
Safety
Contingencies
References
Appendices
Appendix 1 Canine Tranquilizers, Sedatives, and Other Agents
Appendix 2 Canine Injectable Anesthetics and Combinations
Appendix 3 Canine Inhalation Anesthetics
Appendix 4 Canine Neuromuscular Blocking Agents
Appendix 5 Example of anesthetic protocol for laparotomy (e.g., spay)
Appendix 6 Example of anesthetic protocol for dental prophylaxis

1. Introduction
a. Consider factors that can affect the choice of anesthetics. These include:
i. Species, breed, age and relative size of the patient, health status and
concurrent medication, demeanor/disposition of patient, and presence of
pain or distress.
ii. Length and type of operation or procedure to be performed.
iii. Possible effect of the anesthesia on the scientific objectives of the study.
iv. Special facilities and equipment required (e.g., volatile anesthetics).
v. Personal knowledge, experience, preference and skill with available
agents.
b. Perform a pre-anesthetic evaluation of the dog
i. Examine historical information, including the vendor health record, and
clinical and experimental history.
ii. Perform a thorough physical exam.

iii. Consider medical profiling, including a CBC, serum chemistries, and

parasitology screen, depending on the medical history, physical exam,
age of the dog, and type of procedure to be performed.
2. Materials
Note: Check the expiration dates on all drugs, as drugs may not be used past
that date, even for a non-survival procedure.
a. Sedatives and tranquilizers See Appendix 1
Use in the period prior to anesthesia to facilitate handling, reduce anxiety,
provide muscle relaxation, and to reduce the amount of anesthetic drugs
needed to maintain an adequate plane of anesthesia.
b. Analgesics See Appendix 1.
Analgesics must be administered in the preoperative period, before the
painful stimuli. Common analgesics are opioids, NSAIDs, ketamine and local
anesthetics.
They are used in combination to provide optimal pain
management.
c. Anti-cholinergics See Appendix 1
Used to depress parasympathetic system for the purpose of improving intraoperative heart rate and decrease pharyngeal secretions. The dose of
atropine or glycopyrolate is calculated but administer only if heart rate is low
(<90 bpm). Glycopyrolate is preferred in geriatric patients.
Note: Anti-cholinergics may also be used as a preanesthetic agent to
prevent abnormal heart rhythms and slowing of the heart rate.
d. Injectable anesthetics See Appendix 2
The advantages are ease of administration, low cost, and lack of need for
sophisticated equipment. The major disadvantage is that once the drug is
given, it is in the body until it is metabolized or excreted. Use in the following
circumstances:
i. Sole agents administered by single injection to induce a short period of
restraint. This allows minor, usually non-painful procedures, such as
physical examination, collection of blood and body fluids, radiology and
ultrasound examination, to be undertaken.
ii. As sole agents administered by repeated injection or continuous infusion
to induce a longer period of restraint. This facilitates longer procedures
such as CAT, MRI or provides deep sedation or unconsciousness for
intensive care patients.
iii. To induce anesthesia prior to maintenance of anesthesia with inhalant
anesthetics. This is the most common use of injectable anesthetic drugs
as it provides a smooth, rapid induction of anesthesia and facilitates
intubation.
iv. In combination with other injectable drugs to induce and maintain a state
of general anesthesia. Surgical anesthesia includes unconsciousness,
muscle relaxation and analgesia and the combination is referred to as total
intravenous anesthesia (TIVA).
v. As a supplement to inhalant anesthesia.

e. Inhalant anesthetics See Appendix 3

i. Inhalation anesthesia has the advantages of rapid induction and recovery.
Depth of anesthesia can be rapidly changed.
ii. Typically animals are initially anesthetized with an IV dose of injectable
anesthetic (exs. an ultrashort acting barbiturate, OR propofol, OR
ketamine/valium (See Apendix 2)), or administered the inhalation agent by
mask or by use of an induction chamber.
f. Neuromuscular blockers (NMB)/Paralytics See Appendix 4
Important: Carefully note the following prior to the use of NMBs:
i. Neuromuscular blocking agents are used as an adjunct to general
anesthesia when a level of muscle relaxation is required that cannot be
achieved with anesthesia alone.
ii. These agents do not render the animal unconscious; therefore are able to
perceive pain. Extreme care must be taken to ensure that a proper level
of anesthesia and analgesia are achieved prior to administering a
neuromuscular blocking agent.
iii. Monitor parameters such as heart rate and blood pressure throughout the
procedure to make sure that adequate anesthesia and analgesia are
maintained.
iv. It is essential that all animals receiving neuromuscular blocking agents be
placed on a ventilator.
3. Procedures
a. Place an intravenous catheter to maintain venous access and administration
of intravenous fluids.
i. Apply EMLA cream covered with plastic wrap (e.g., Saran wrap) over the
previously clipped venipuncture site 30 minutes prior to placing the
catheter.
ii. For peripheral vein access, use the cephalic or saphenous veins.
iii. If central vein access is required, place a jugular catheter.
iv. Administer 0.9% saline or Lactated Ringers Solution at an average rate of
10 mL/kg/hour.
b. Give intramuscular injections carefully to avoid damage to nerves.
i. Inject into the cranial thigh (quadriceps) or lumbar spinal epaxial muscles
unless limited by local pathology or implants.
ii. If injecting into the caudal thigh muscles, direct the needle posteriorly to
avoid the sciatic nerve.
c. Administer subcutaneous injections in the interscapular region, the lateral
thoracic, and lumbar dorsal region.
d. Use of inhalant anesthetics for induction and/or maintenance of anesthesia.
i. Use a tight-fitting mask or induction chamber for inhalant induction of the
patient. Do not use an induction chamber for animals exceeding 5 kg.
ii. Following sedation by injectable anesthetics or inhalant agents, place an
endotracheal tube to maintain a level plane of anesthesia.

4. Safety
a. Use only anesthetic machine with valid certificate (<12 months).
b. Avoid vapors from volatile drugs such as anesthetics, by proper use of
scavenging equipment. Refer to CARE SOP 712.
c. Attend Waste Anesthetic Gas (WAGS) training given by EH&S
d. Monitor the use of chemical agents and assure that product safety
recommendations are followed to protect the health and welfare of the
humans and animals that are exposed to the agents.
e. Drugs that come under the control of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
must be stored in a double-locked cabinet in a secure area.
5. Contingencies
a. Contact Cornell Environmental Health and Safety at www.ehs.cornell.edu or
255-8200 for concerns regarding the use of chemical agents and monitoring
of waste anesthetics gas.
b. Contact CARE at 253-4378. For emergencies contact the CARE paging
service at 1-800-349-2456 or care@cornell.edu for concerns regarding the
use of particular anesthetic regimes or additional training.
6. References
a. Anesthesia and Analgesia in Laboratory Animals; Kohn, et al., Ed.; Academic
Press: New York, 1997.
b. Muir, et al. Handbook of Veterinary Anesthesia; Mosby: New York, 1995.
c. The University of Michigan, ULAM website, Canine Anesthesia Guidelines.
http://www.ulam.umich.edu/UCUCA/forms/UL716C~1.DOC (accessed Dec.
2005).
d. University of Virginia Health System website, Anesthesia and Analgesia.
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/ccm/Anesth/aneshome.cfm
(accessed Dec. 2005).
e. Plumb, D.C. Veterinary Drug Handbook; Iowa State Press: Ames, Iowa, 1995.
f. Harvey, R.C., et al. Anesthesia and Analgesia in Dogs and Cats and Ferrets.
In Anesthesia and Analgesia in Laboratory Animals (D.F. Kohn, S.K. Wixson,
W.J. White, and G.J. Benson, eds.), pp. 257-273. Academic Press, San
Diego, California, 1997.
7. Appendicies

Appendix 1
Canine Tranquilizers, Sedatives, Analgesics, and Other Agents1
Drug

Dose/Route2

Acepromazine

0.050.1 mg/kg IV, IM,

SQ
(maximum 3 mg total
dose)
0.02-0.22 mg/kg IV, IM,
SQ needs clarification
of dosing
concentrations
0.020.04 mg/kg IV, IM,
SQ
0.010.02 mg/kg IM, IV
0.05-0.2 mg/kg IM, IV,
SC

Acepromazine/
Butorphanol

Atropine
Buprenorphine
Hydromorphone

Carprofen
Diazepam (Valium)

4 mg/kg PO, SC
0.20.4 mg/kg IV, IM

Glycopyrrolate

0.010.02
SQ

Midazolam (Versed)
Ketamine-Lidocaine
infusion

0.20.4 mg/kg IV, IM

Xylazine (Rompun)

mg/kg

Duration of
Effect
4 hours

Lidocaine 0.1 mg/mL

and
Ketamine 0.06 mg/mL
At infusion rate:
10 mL/kg/hour
0.40.9 mg/kg IM, SQ
0.10.5 mg/kg IV slowly

Yohimbine (Yobine)

0.2 mg/kg IV, slowly

Tramadol

1-4mg/kg PO, q 8-12hrs

Moderate sedation, no
analgesia, use with
caution in aged dogs

1560 minutes

Moderate to heavy
analgesia and
sedation

3060 minutes

Elevated heart rate

may result
Moderate analgesia
Moderate to high
analgesia High dose
range can cause
anxiety
Moderate analgesia
Sedative
maximum 10 mg total
dose
Elevated heart rate
may result Try half
dose first and monitor
for 5-10 minutes and
then administer to
effect
Mild sedative

612 hours
24 hours

24 hours
30180
minutes
IM,

Notes

60120
minutes

<2 hours

Diluted in LRS or
0.9% NaCl

3060 minutes

1 References: Plumb, 1995; Harvey, 1997

2 IV = intravenous, IM = intramuscular, SQ= subcutaneous, PO = oral

Sedative, analgesic avoid in sick or

debilitated animalsreverse with
Yohimbine
Xylazine reversal
agent
Opioid, moderate
analgesia, oral dosing
only

Appendix 2
Canine Injectable Anesthetics and Combinations
Duration of
Effect
Dose dependent

Anesthetic

Dose and Route

Medetomidine
(Domitor)

0.010.08 mg/kg IV, IM

Medetomidine +
Butorphanol

IV 20 minutes
IM longer
sedation but less
effect

Pentobarbital

0.2 mg/kg butorphanol +

equal volume of
medetomidine in same
syringe IV or IM
(assumes 10 mg/mL
butorphanol)
2030 mg/kg IV

Thiopental

812 mg/kg IV

15 minutes

Ketamine +
Diazepam (Valium)

3 mg/kg Ketamine +
0.3 mg/kg Diazepam IV

20 minutes

Ketamine +
Midazolam

10 mg/kg Ketamine +
0.5 mg/kg Midazolam IV

20 minutes

Ketamine +
Acepromazine

24 mg/kg Ketamine IV +
0.1 mg/kg Acepromazine
IV, IM
28 mg/kg IV induction
(dose to effect)
0.20.4 mg/kg/min IV
infusion

10 minutes

612 mg/kg IM, SQ

2030 minutes

Propofol

Tiletamine +
Zolazepam
(Telazol)

3045 minutes

Until discontinued

Notes
Profound drop in
heart rate;
reversed with
equal volume of
Atipamezole
1520 minute
surgical plane of
anesthesia. Can
be reversed with
atipamezole
Long acting
Apnea may
result, observe
respiration
following
administration
Short acting
Apnea may
result, observe
respiration
following
administration
May be mixed in
same syringe,
laryngeal reflexes
preserved
May be mixed in
same syringe,
Laryngeal
reflexes
preserved
Minor procedures

Apnea may
result, observe
respiration
following
administration
Good for
fractious dogs,
but rough
recovery

Appendix 3
Canine Inhalation Anesthetics
Drug
Dose and Route
Halothane
Isoflurane

Nitrous oxide

5% induction
2%3% maintenance
5% induction
1%3% maintenance
1:1 mixture of nitrous
oxide to oxygen

Duration of
Effect
Until discontinued
Until discontinued
Until discontinued

Notes
Inhalant
anesthetic
Preferred
Inhalant
anesthetic
Use in
conjunction with
other inhalant
anesthetics

Appendix 4
Canine Neuromuscular Blockers
Drug

Dose/Route

Succinylcholine

0.22 mg/kg IV

Duration of
Effect
110 minutes

Pancuronium
bromide

0.044 mg/kg IV

3040 minutes

Notes
Little effect on
heart rate and
blood pressure
Duration is dose
dependant

Appendix 5: Example of anesthetic protocol for laparotomy (e.g., spay).

Preanesthetic
Drug
EMLA Cream

Dose/Route
Topically over venipuncutre
site for 30 minutes

Acepromazine
Buprenorphine

0.050.1 mg/kg IM
0.02 mg/kg IM

Carprofen

4 mg/kg SC

Install IV catheter and administer fluids at 10 mL/kg/hour with:

Drug
Dose/Route
Ketamine-Lidocaine infusion Lidocaine 0.1 mg/mL and
Ketamine 0.06 mg/mL
At infusion rate:
10 mL/kg/hour
Induction
Drug
Ketamine +
Diazepam (Valium)
Local anesthesia
Drug
Bupivacaine 0.5%
Maintenance
Drug
Isoflurane

Post-op
Drug
Buprenorphine
Carprofen

Notes
Cover plastic wrap (e.g.,
Saran wrap) over the
venipuncture site
Mixed in same syringe
Takes 30 minutes to reach
maximum effect

Notes
Diluted in LRS or 0.9% NaCl

Dose/Route
3 mg/kg Ketamine +
0.3 mg/kg Diazepam IV

Notes

Dose/Route
Local infiltration of incision
site, ~0.5 mL/kg

Notes

Dose/Route
1.5%4% inhalation

Notes
Monitor closely at higher end
of range. Caution: Continued
4% inhalation can cause
cardiovascular collapse.

Dose/Route
0.02 mg/kg IM q 612 hours
4 mg/kg q 24 hours for 35
days

Notes
Can be divided in 2 doses of
2 mg/kg q12h

Appendix 6: Example of anesthetic protocol for dental prophylaxis (no

extraction/pain expected).
Drug
EMLA Cream

Dose/Route
Topically over venipuncutre
site for 30 minutes

Acepromazine
Buprenorphine

0.05 mg/kg IM
0.01 mg/kg IM

Notes
Cover plastic wrap (e.g.,
Saran wrap) over the
venipuncture site
Mixed in same syringe
Takes 30 minutes to
reach maximum effect

Install IV catheter and administer fluids at 10 mL/kg/hour

Drug
Propofol

Dose/Route
28 mg/kg IV slowly to effect

Notes
Apnea may result,
observe respiration
following administration

Drug
Isoflurane

Dose/Route
1.5%4% inhalation

Notes
Monitor closely at higher
end of range. Caution:
Continued 4% inhalation
can cause
cardiovascular collapse.

1 IV = intravenous, IM = intramuscular, SQ= subcutaneous, PO = oral

Written by/date :
M. Martin
January 5, 2006

Effective date :
Jan. 2006

Review date :
August 2007

Referee
Jonathan Spears

SOP :
CARE104.01