Incidence of emesis induced by low-dose intravenous medetomidine administration in dogs: a retrospective study of 155 cases

Teppei KANDA, Yusuke OHASHI, Mai OHTA, Kanna SAEKI, Kosuke KOBAYASHI, Natsuki AKASHI, Ryohei YOSHITAKE, Kanako TSUJI, Junpei HANAYAMA, Yuki SHIMIZU

This study aimed to determine the incidence of emesis in dogs receiving a low dose of intravenous medetomidine. Anesthetic records of dogs that received ≤3 µg/kg medetomidine intravenously before anesthesia induction were retrospectively reviewed. Data included demographics, doses, and the presence of emesis, retching, sialorrhea, or lip licking. A total of 155 cases met the criteria. The administered dose of medetomidine was 3.0 (0.5–3.0) µg/kg (median [range]). Emesis occurred in 3 of 155 dogs (1.9%), while retching, sialorrhea, and lip licking occurred in two, two, and five dogs, respectively. The incidence of emesis observed in dogs receiving low-dose (≤3 µg/kg) intravenous medetomidine was lower than that reported in studies using higher doses.

Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

10.1292/jvms.25-0479