Nebulised adrenaline in the post-operative management of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in dogs: short-term outcomes in 90 cases (2014-2020)

• Published in: New Zealand veterinary journal 2023-11, Vol.71 (6), p.329-336
• Main Authors: Fenner, JVH, Henderson, CC, Demetriou, JL
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adrenaline; BOAS; brachycephalic; dogs; nebulisation
• ISSN: 0048-0169; 1176-0710
• DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2023.2248053

Medical records from a single UK-based referral hospital were retrospectively reviewed to identify brachycephalic dogs who had undergone corrective airway surgery and were nebulised with adrenaline in the post-operative period. Ninety dogs were identified between August 2014 and March 2020. Agitation following nebulisation with adrenaline was uncommon, with 86/90 (96%) dogs remaining calm, and overall outcome was reported as satisfactory in 68 of 73 (89%) dogs for which this information was available. Median respiratory rate at T0 (prior to first nebulisation) and T60 (1 hour following nebulisation) were both 20 breaths/minute with a median difference of 0 (95% CI = 0-0) breaths/minute (p = 0.657). Median heart rate at T0 and T60 were both 80 beats/minute with a median difference of 3 (95% CI = −10 to 7) beats/minute (p = 0.948). Two dogs experienced tachycardia, but this was not associated with the timing of administration of adrenaline. Complications reported in the 24 hours following surgery included regurgitation (n = 36), increased respiratory noise and effort (n = 10), aspiration pneumonia (n = 4), and inappetence (n = 3). A temporary tracheostomy tube was placed in 13 (14.4%) dogs. Nebulisation with adrenaline is feasible, results in minimal increases in respiratory rate and heart rate and is associated with agitation in only a small number of dogs.