Experimental pharmacodynamics and analgesic efficacy of liposome-encapsulated hydromorphone in dogs.

Author(s): Krugner-Higby L, Smith L, Schmidt B, Wunsch L, Smetana A, Brown C, Heath TD

Affiliation(s): Research Animal Resources Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. lisakh@rarc.wisc.edu

Publication date & source: 2011-05, J Am Anim Hosp Assoc., 47(3):185-95. Epub 2011 Apr 15.

The purpose of this study was to determine the experimental side effects of liposome-encapsulated hydromorphone (LE-Hydro) in beagles and to evaluate LE-Hydro analgesia in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomies (OVH). Beagles were injected subcutaneously with 1-3 mg/kg LE-Hydro or 0.1 mg/kg hydromorphone. Dogs were evaluated for sedation, temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate. OVH dogs were injected with 2 mg/kg LE-Hydro subcutaneously or 0.2 mg/kg morphine and 0.05 mg/kg acepromazine intramuscularly. Side effects of LE-Hydro were within clinically acceptable limits. The analgesic efficacy was superior in dogs administered LE-Hydro at 12 hr postsurgically. LE-Hydro provided adequate, durable analgesia in dogs undergoing OVH.