Clinical Evaluation of Alfaxalone As an Anaesthetic Induction Agent in Dogs Less Than 12 Weeks of Age

Objective: To assess the efficacy of alfaxalone as an anaesthetic induction agent for dogs aged less than 12 weeks.

Materials And Methods: The study group comprised 25 juvenile dogs aged less than 12 weeks that were presented for surgical desexing. Dogs were aged by dentition, examined and weighed prior to premedication with acepromazine, atropine and morphine. At 20-30 min after premedication, animals were anaesthetised with intravenous alfaxalone administered to effect, using a target maximum expected dose of 2  mg/kg. Dogs were intubated and anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen administered with a non-rebreathing system. Subjective measures of anaesthetic quality and vital signs were recorded from enrollment to recovery. Descriptive and comparative statistics were used to analyse and present collected data.

Results: The mean (± SD) dose of alfaxalone for induction was 1.7 (± 0.3) mg/kg body weight. Subjective measures of anaesthetic quality indicated acceptable induction, maintenance and recovery standards. Measured cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were well maintained.

Conclusion: Alfaxalone in 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (Alfaxan®) is a suitable injectable anaesthetic induction agent for dogs aged less than 12 weeks requiring anaesthesia.