Splenic congestion associated with acepromazine administration in dogs

• Published in: Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science
• Main Authors: Denise Cláudia Tavares, Fabiana Ferreira Souza, Claudio Galvão Olivaes, Valeska Rodrigues, Thais Melo de Paula Seixas, Ewaldo de Mattos Junior, Gilson Hélio Toniollo
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo 2015
• Subjects: Canis lupus familiaris; Phenotiazines; Splenomegaly; Animal culture; SF1-1100; Canis lupus
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.v51i4p304-308; https://doaj.org/article/cd0895f67bad4209bd2de8d1ccf0cc08

The aim of this study was evaluate splenic dilatation induced by acepromazine in a prospective, randomized study. Thirty-three adult mongrel dog were divided into two groups designated as AG (acepromazine 0.05 mg/kg, i.v., n = 23) and CG (0.9% sodium chloride administered at a similar volume, n = 10). In both groups underwent sonographic examinations before (T0) and fifteen minutes (T15) after drug injection. The thickness spleen and splenic vein width were measured. Higher thickness was found in the AG group at T15 (2.47 cm) when compared to that at T0 (2.06 cm, p = 0.016), while the T0 (2.33 cm) and T15 (2.39 cm) measures did not differ within the CG group. Moreover, the splenic vein width was higher (p = 0.013) at T15 than at T0 in the AG group. Based on results of this study, we concluded that acepromazine, in doses of 0.05 mg/kg, promotes splenomegaly in dogs after fifteen minutes of the injection.