Comparison of three different dose regimes of medetomidine in laboratory beagles

Different dose regimes of medetomidine (a potent alpha 2-adrenergic agonist), adding up to a combined dose of 80 micrograms/kg, were administered to laboratory beagles to determine the possible superiority of any particular regime. The study was intended to mimic a clinical situation where sufficient sedative and analgesic effect was not reached with the initial dose and an additional dose would have to be administered. Cardiopulmonary responses were very similar in each dose regime, showing the characteristic properties of single doses of 80 micrograms/kg of medetomidine as reported in the literature. Effective sedative and analgesic duration seemed to be a function of when the largest dose was administered. Adequate additional sedative and analgesic effect could be gained from the second injection at doses of half of the initial one.