1)     RECOMMENDATIONS

a)      General Approach

i)        Avoid agents that depend on redistribution to body fat for recovery

b)      Pre-anesthetic Medications

i)        Opioids combined with benzodiazepines are effective preanesthetic agents

ii)       If acepromazine is used it should be limited to the low end of the dose range

c)      Induction

i)        Propofol is a very effective induction agent associated with smooth recoveries

ii)       Ketamine/Valium is a good option

iii)     Opioid/benzodiazepine induction is another option

(1)   Recovery may be prolonged – reversal agents can be employed if needed to facilitate recovery

iv)     Methohexital is the only recommended thiobarbiturate for sighthound induction

(1)   It does not require redistribution for recovery

(2)   Recovery is through agent metabolism which sighthounds handle adequately

(3)   Thiopental can be used in sighthounds but its use is not recommended as the therapeutic index is uncomfortably narrow

d)      Maintenance

i)        Isoflurane or sevoflurane

e)      Support

i)        N/A

2)     PRECAUTIONS

a)      Pre-anesthetic Medications

i)        Use acepromazine with caution

b)      Induction

i)        Avoid thiobarbiturates other than methohexital

c)      Maintenance

i)        N/A

d)      Support

i)        Monitor body temperature – sighthounds may be more prone to malignant hyperthermia than other dogs