Sederingsrutinens påverkan på resultatet av höftledsröntgen : en pilotstudie

Sammanfattning: Hip dysplasia is a common, inherited malformation of the coxofemoral joint that eventually leads to osteoarthrosis. Several breeds of dogs are affected and the prevalence varies between different breeds. As part of the effort to reduce the prevalence of hip dysplasia and select dogs suitable for breeding, radiological screening is performed by at least 12 months of age. Before the radiological examination the dog has to be chemically restrained, sedated or anesthetized. The sedation protocol used differs between veterinary clinics. The impact of sedation method of the screening result for hip dysplasia has been studied. Six young Golden retrievers were radiographed at three times. Without sedation, sedated with acepromazine and sedated with a combination of medetomidine and butorphanol. Acepromazine and medetomidine differs in modes of action, where acepromazine is a neurolepticum with limited effect on muscle relaxation and none on analgesia. The combination of medetomidine and butorphanol results in deep sedation, with a high level of muscle relaxation and analgesia. The type of chemical restraint showed significant effect on the result of the radiological examination. The prevalence of hip dysplasia was lower in unsedated dogs or when sedated with acepromazine than when the dogs were sedated with the combination of medetomidine and butorphanol. In several dogs the result also differed on repeated examination within the same sedation. The number of repeat films was lower and the total time needed for examination shorter when the dogs were sedated, especially when sedated with medetomidine and butorphanol.