Evaluation of etomidate and alfentanyl in dog anaesthesia

Abstract

The use of etomidate for short periods of anaesthesia (e.g. biopsy, skin suture, radiography) was related both to its short duration of action and the absence of significant side-effects. It was rapidly metabolized by liver in inactive metabolites, and its pharmaco-kinetics characteristics recommended it for continuous perfusion or intravenously. In dog, alfentanyl was used to diminish the induction dose of intravenous anaesthesia, although it may be the cause of a few minutes apnea. The aim of this study was to monitor the course of anaesthesia, using a combination of etomidate and alfentanyl.