Anesthetic and Analgesic Protocols in Spay-Neuter Clinics: A 2017 Survey of Practices and Preferences in the United States

Brendan S. Bergquist; Douglas dos Santos e Castro; Virginia Aida-Ficken; Nellie Goetz; Erik H. Hofmeister

doi:10.56771/jsmcah.v3.105

Authors

Brendan S. Bergquist Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7332-8887
Douglas dos Santos e Castro Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3406-3387
Virginia Aida-Ficken Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9450-0142
Nellie Goetz College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Oro Valley, AZ, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0232-288X
Erik H. Hofmeister Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6360-3912

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56771/jsmcah.v3.105

Keywords:

HQHVSN, analgesic protocols, multimodal analgesia, spay-neuter anesthesia

Abstract

Introduction: The advancement of spay-neuter procedures has been vital to the reduction of euthanized dogs and cats. Even though many spay-neuter clinics and shelters have adopted anesthesia protocols that align with best practices, there is currently little published data reporting trends among these clinics in the United States. The aim of this study was to provide data on the most commonly used high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter (HQHVSN) anesthetic/analgesic protocols.

Methods: In 2017, a voluntary, anonymous web-based survey was distributed to shelters/clinics through the HQHVSN veterinarians’ listserv and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) listserv.

Results: One hundred and six facilities participated in the survey spanning 36 states in the United States. The most commonly used canine anesthesia premedication was acepromazine paired with an opioid, with acepromazine/hydromorphone and acepromazine/butorphanol representing 26% (24/91) and 23% (23/91) of the responses, respectively. Ketamine/midazolam was the most commonly used canine induction anesthetic representing 39% (35/91) of the responses. The most commonly used feline protocol was a total intramuscular anesthetic combination such as dexmedetomidine/ketamine/butorphanol (DKT) or Telazol/butorphanol/dexmedetomidine (TTDex) accounting for 39% (35/91) and 33% (30/91) of the responses, respectively. The majority of respondents administered an injectable nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to their canine and feline patients at 63% (67/106) and 59% (63/106)), respectively. Only 26% (25/98) of respondents used to-go-home (TGH) medications, and only 40% (41/102) of respondents used local anesthetics. Overall protocol satisfaction was 86% (59/66).

Conclusion: This survey identified that across a wide range of spay-neuter clinics, there exists significant trends with regard to anesthetic and analgesic protocols. These results can be used as primary, historical data to which future studies can compare.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Rowan A, Kartal T. Dog Population & Dog Sheltering Trends in the United States of America. Animals (Basel). 2018;8(5):68. doi: 10.3390/ani8050068

Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Veterinary Task Force to Advance Spay-Neuter, Griffin B, Bushby PA, et al. The Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ 2016 Veterinary Medical Care Guidelines for Spay-Neuter Programs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2016;249(2):165–188. doi: 10.2460/javma.249.2.165

Bushby PA. High-Quality, High-Volume Spay-Neuter: Access to Care and the Challenge to Private Practitioners. J Feline Med Surg. 2020;22(3):208–215. doi: 10.1177/1098612X20903600

Intake and Outcome Data Analysis, Full Year 2023. Shelter Animals Count; 2024. Accessed Jul 31, 2024. https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Full-Year-2023-Report.pdf

Shivley JM, Brookshire WC, Bushby PA, Woodruff KA. Clinically Prepared Veterinary Students: Enhancing Veterinary Student Hands-on Experiences and Supporting Hospital Caseload Using Shelter Medicine Program. Front Vet Sci. 2018;5:95. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00095

Hedge ZN, Bossong F, Gordon-Ross PN, Kovacs SJ. Exploring the Effects of Participation in a Shelter Medicine Externship on Student Knowledge and Self-Confidence. J Vet Med Educ. 2019;46(1):4–13. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0417-056r

Powell L, Reinhard CL, Serpell J, Watson B. A Survey of Veterinary Student and Veterinarian Perceptions of Shelter Medicine Employment. J Vet Med Educ. 2023;50(1):27–52. doi: 10.3138/jvme-2021-0112

Foley JE. The Educational Discipline of Shelter Medicine. J Vet Med Educ. 2003;30(4):379–382. doi: 10.3138/jvme.30.4.379

Cistola AM, Golder FJ, Centonze LA, McKay LW, Levy JK. Anesthetic and Physiologic Effects of Tiletamine, Zolazepam, Ketamine, and Xylazine Combination (TKX) in Feral Cats Undergoing Surgical Sterilization. J Feline Med Surg. 2004;6(5):297–303. doi: 10.1016/j.jfms.2003.11.004

Williams LS, Levy JK, Robertson SA, Cistola AM, Centonze LA. Use of the Anesthetic Combination of Tiletamine, Zolazepam, Ketamine, and Xylazine for Neutering Feral Cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002;220(10):1491–1495. doi: 10.2460/javma.2002.220.1491

Ko JC, Berman AG. Anesthesia in Shelter Medicine. Top Companion Anim Med. 2010;25(2):92–97. doi: 10.1053/j.tcam.2010.03.001

Grubb T, Sager J, Gaynor JS, et al. 2020 AAHA Anesthesia and Monitoring Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2020;56(2):59–82. doi: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7055

Levy JK, Bard KM, Tucker SJ, Diskant PD, Dingman PA. Perioperative Mortality in Cats and Dogs Undergoing Spay or Castration at a High-Volume Clinic. Vet J. 2017;224:11–15. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.05.013

Sylvestre FR, Monteiro BP, Simard MJ, Steagall PV. Anesthetic Effects of Ketamine-Medetomidine-Hydromorphone in Dogs During High-Quality, High-Volume Surgical Sterilization Program Under Field Conditions. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2020;47(6):789–792. doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2020.08.001

Moser KL, Hasiuk MM, Armstrong T, Gunn M, Pang DS. A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Butorphanol and Buprenorphine within a Multimodal Analgesic Protocol in Cats Undergoing Orchiectomy. J Feline Med Surg. 2020;22(8):760–767. doi: 10.1177/1098612X19886132

Kushnir Y, Toledano N, Cohen L, Bdolah-Abram T, Shilo-Benjamini Y. Intratesticular and Incisional Line Infiltration with Ropivacaine for Castration in Medetomidine-Butorphanol-Midazolam Sedated Dogs. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2017;44(2): 346–355. doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2016.03.007

Drug Protocols for Spay/Neuter Clinics. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; 2024. Accessed Jul 31, 2024. https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/drug-protocols-spayneuter-clinics

White S. High-Quality, High-Volume Spay and Neuter and Other Shelter Surgeries. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing; 2019.

Miller KP, Rekers W, Ellis K, Ellingsen K, Milovancev M. Pedicle Ties Provide a Rapid and Safe Method for Feline Ovariohysterectomy. J Feline Med Surg. 2016;18(2):160–164. doi: 10.1177/1098612X15576589

Rigdon-Brestle K, Accornero VH, Amtower M, Slater MR. Retrospective Review Reveals Few Complications of Ovarian Pedicle Tie in 15,927 Cats Undergoing Ovariohysterectomy at a Large HQHVSN Clinic and Training Facility in the United States: 2017–2018. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2022;260(S2):S28–S35. doi: 10.2460/javma.21.09.0405

Monteiro ER, Figueroa CD, Choma JC, Campagnol D, Bettini CM. Effects of Methadone, Alone or in Combination with Acepromazine or Xylazine, on Sedation and Physiologic Values in Dogs. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2008;35(6):519–527. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2008.00412.x

Ferreira JP, Dzikit TB, Zeiler GE, et al. Anaesthetic Induction and Recovery Characteristics of a Diazepam-Ketamine Combination Compared with Propofol in Dogs. J S Afr Vet Assoc. 2015;86(1):1258. doi: 10.4102/jsava.v86i1.1258

Gruen ME, Lascelles BDX, Colleran E, et al. 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2022;58(2):55–76. doi: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7292