Determination of safe dose of acepromazine for gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) and analgesic and sedative evaluation in its association with two opioids for elective orchiectomy

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to determine a safe dose of acepromazine and evaluate its analgesic and anesthetic action with morphine and butorphanol for the species Meriones unguiculatus. 12 male gerbils were used, which received doses of acepromazine from 0.5 to 8mg/kg in a pilot study. The animals were evaluated on a sedation scale, at different times. The medication was administered in a double-blind manner, without the evaluator and the applicator knowing the doses. Based on this first part of the study, it was found that doses of 5 to 8mg/kg did not differ in terms of sedation, however, with 5mg/kg or above, recovery time increased. After that, acepromazine doses of 2mg/kg and 4mg/kg were tested, 10 animals were used in cross-over mode, which had the degree of sedation and recovery evaluated. The last part of the study consisted of the orchiectomy of 12 animals, which received acepromazine (2mg/kg) as pre-anesthetic medication, half of the group associated with morphine (2mg/kg) and the other with butorphanol (1mg/kg). According to statistical analysis, there was a significant difference in the heart rate of the group submitted to morphine, which was high. There was no difference in anesthetic induction time or other vital and surgical parameters between groups. None of the animals submitted to any dose used during the study showed seizures or death. It was defined from this that acepromazine doses of 2mg/kg and 4mg/kg are safe, achieve a good degree of sedation and demonstrate adequate recovery.