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

ABSTRACT

Case histories

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.

Clinical findings

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.

Clinical relevance

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.

KEYWORDS:

• BOAS
• brachycephalic
• nebulisation
• adrenaline
• dogs

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr Tim H Sparks from Waltham Petcare Science Institute for his contribution to the statistical analysis.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.