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Cardiovascular function and serum catecholamine concentrations after anesthesia and surgery in the dog
C A Rawlings1, R L Tackett, D E Bjorling
1Department of Small Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
Veterinary Surgery : VS
|July 1, 1989
Summary
This study found that while dogs experienced peripheral hypothermia after surgery, their plasma catecholamine concentrations, including epinephrine and norepinephrine, did not significantly increase, suggesting a blunted stress response in surgical canine patients.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Surgery
- Anesthesiology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Background:
- Surgical procedures in dogs can induce physiological stress responses.
- Peripheral vasoconstriction and catecholamine release are key indicators of stress.
- Understanding these responses is crucial for perioperative patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate peripheral vasoconstriction and plasma catecholamine concentrations in dogs undergoing various surgical procedures.
- To assess the impact of different surgical interventions on physiological stress markers.
- To evaluate the effect of meperidine administration on these stress responses.
Main Methods:
- 37 dogs underwent cervical disc fenestration, salivary gland excision, intestinal anastomosis, cystotomy, diaphragmatic rupture repair, gastrotomy, or pyloromyotomy.
- Physiological parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, temperature) and plasma catecholamine levels (epinephrine, norepinephrine) were measured at multiple time points.
- Meperidine was administered to a subset of dogs prior to extubation.
Main Results:
- All dogs exhibited hypothermia during surgery and increased peripheral hypothermia post-operatively.
- Heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure during recovery were comparable to pre-anesthetic levels.
- Mean plasma catecholamine concentrations did not significantly increase post-surgery, even in dogs not receiving meperidine.
- A higher proportion of dogs showed elevated epinephrine levels at sternal recumbency compared to pre-anesthesia, particularly in laparotomy cases.
Conclusions:
- Canine surgical patients develop significant peripheral hypothermia post-operatively.
- Despite surgical stress, plasma catecholamine levels do not consistently elevate, indicating a potentially attenuated stress response.
- The findings suggest that standard surgical stress may not trigger a marked sympathoadrenal activation in dogs.