Comparison of anesthetic potency and cardiopulmonary effects of halothane and isoflurane anesthesia in dogs

The study was conducted at SAQ Teaching Veterinary Hospital (SAQTVH), Chattogram and Teaching & Training Pet Hospital and Research Center (TTPHRC) Dhaka, CVASU, to evaluate anesthetic potency and cardiopulmonary effects of isoflurane and halothane anesthesia in dogs. Fourteen dogs were randomly selected that were admitted to these hospitals for different surgical interventions like ovariohysterectomy, castration, correcrtion of cryptorchidism, umbilical hernia, fracture management through bandage (Modified Robert Johns), docking  and caesarian section etc. . They were allocated into two anesthesia groups (n = 7 in each group). Dogs were premeditated with xylazine hydrochloride (1 mg/kg) intramuscularly and anesthesia was induced by propofol (2 mg/kg, IV). Inhalation anesthesia was maintained for a routine surgical procedure using 2% isoflurane (ISO) and 2.5% halothane (HAL). Cardiopulmonary parameters [heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), oxygen saturation (SpO2), body temperature] were monitored and recorded during routine surgery for every 5 minutes interval up to completion of surgery. No significant difference was found between HAL and ISO groups in SPO2 (p>0.1). Pulmonary indices during isoflurane anesthesia caused a significant increase (44.7±7.8 breath/min) in the respiratory rate in comparison to halothane anesthesia. There was no significant difference in HR between the two anesthetic groups. Systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were almost the same in both groups. Body temperature decreased gradually during ISO and HAL anesthesia without significant difference. Therefore, it is concluded that, halothane and isoflurane, both can be safe anesthetics for dogs with minimum side effects on cardiovascular and respiratory systems during routine surgical treatment in veterinary hospital. The result from this research may help the practitioners to increase awareness of anesthetic management in practices.