Effects of dexmedetomidine on plasma glucose, cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations of canine undergoing ovariohysterectomy

Abstract

To study the effect of dexmedetomidine on plasma glucose, cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations in canine undergoing ovariohysterectomy, 24 beagles were divided into 3 groups randomly. Group A was intramuscularly injected with 2 ml of saline 10 min after surgery. Group B was intramuscularly injected with 20 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine 10 min before surgery. Group C was intramuscularly injected with 20 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine 10 min after surgery. Two milliliters of blood was collected at 3 h, on the second day and on the third day after surgery. Plasma glucose, cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations were measured. The study showed that dexmedetomidine significantly decreased the plasma glucose concentration of the dogs. The treatment with dexmedetomidine before surgery could not decrease the adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration significantly. Intramuscularly injecting dexmedetomidine (20 μg/kg) at 10 min after surgery decreased the levels of plasma glucose, cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone of the canine undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Therefore, dexmedetomidine could be a good choice for avoiding stress response of surgery.