The effects of selected sedatives on basal and stimulated serum cortisol concentrations in healthy dogs

• DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16955
• Publication Date: 2024-02-20T08:10:46Z
• Authors: Adam Hunt; Shelly Olin; Jacqueline C. Whi...; Alejandro Estelle...; Cary Springer; Luca Giori
• Keywords: Butorphanol; Dexmedetomidine; Basal (medicine); Crossover study; Trazodone; Pharmacodynamics

Background Hormone assessment is typically recommended for awake, unsedated dogs. However, one of the most commonly asked questions from veterinary practitioners to endocrinology laboratory how sedation impacts cortisol concentrations and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. Butorphanol, dexmedetomidine, trazodone are common sedatives dogs, but their impact on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) unknown. The objective this study was evaluate effects butorphanol, serum concentrations. Methods Twelve healthy beagles were included in a prospective, randomized, four-period crossover design with 7-day washout. ACTH test results determined after saline (0.5 mL IV), butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg dexmedetomidine (4 µg/kg (3–5 PO) administration. Results Compared saline, increased basal (median 11.75 µg/dL (range 2.50–23.00) (324.13 nmol/L; range 68.97–634.48) vs 1.27 (0.74–2.10) (35.03 20.41–57.93); P < 0.0001) post-ACTH (17.05 (12.40–26.00) (470.34 342.07–717.24) 13.75 (10.00–18.90) (379.31 275.96–521.38); ≤ 0.0001). Dexmedetomidine did not significantly affect (1.55 0.75–1.55) (42.76 20.69–42.76); = 0.33 0.79 0.69–1.89) (21.79 19.03–52.14); 0.13, respectively, 20.41–57.93)) or (14.35 10.70–18.00) (395.86 295.17–496.55); (P 0.98 12.90 8.94–17.40) (355.86 246.62–480); 0.65), (10.00–18.60) 275.86–513.10). Conclusion Butorphanol administration should be avoided prior testing Further evaluation trazodone’s adrenocortical dogs suspected HPA derangements warranted confirm they do clinical diagnosis.