Dexametasona como antiemético en pacientes quirúrgicos caninos tratados con protocolos postoperatorios de morfina

Abstract

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) represent a common complication in canines undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OVH), particularly when analgesic protocols involving morphine are utilized. This experimental study evaluated the efficacy of dexamethasone as an emetic prophylactic in 20 clinically healthy mixed-breed female dogs undergoing OVH under general anesthesia. The subjects were divided into four groups: two received preoperative administration of dexamethasone (0.2 mg/kg), while the remaining two received only morphine (0.2mg/kg) via subcutaneous injection and constant rate infusion (CRI). Clinical signs of PONV (emesis, nausea, and ptyalism), as well as their frequency and time of onset, were recorded. The results demonstrated a higher incidence of clinical signs in the groups receiving morphine alone—particularly via continuous infusion where the prophylactic administration of dexamethasone significantly reduced the frequency of PONV (p=0.02), showing a lower occurrence of nausea and emesis. These findings suggest that dexamethasone is an effective alternative for preventing opioid-induced PONV in canines, thereby contributing to enhanced postoperative recovery and animal welfare.

Keywords: Dexamethasone; Morphine; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting; Dogs; Continuous Infusion.