The Veterinary Record, Vol 138, Issue 26, 642-645
Copyright © 1996 by British Veterinary Association

Sufentanil and nitrous oxide anaesthesia for the recording of transcranial magnetic motor evoked potentials in dogs

¹ Department of Small Animal Medicine and Clinical Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Casinoplein 24, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
² Arthritis and Metabolic Bone Disease Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven, Weligerveld 1, B-3312 Pellenberg, Belgium
³ Department of Physical Medicine and Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium

Transcranial magnetic motor evoked potentials were recorded from the extensor carpi radialis muscle of the forelimbs and from the cranial tibial muscle of the hindlimbs of anaesthetised dogs. The dogs were premedicated with droperidol and fentanyl and a light plane of anaesthesia was induced and maintained with sufentanil and nitrous oxide. The potentials recorded under sufentanil and nitrous oxide anaesthesia were suppressed in comparison with baseline recordings under droperidol and fentanyl sedation: their latencies were significantly increased and their amplitudes significantly decreased (P<0·05). However, the potentials could be recorded reliably in all the dogs and with very good reproducibility. This narcotic anaesthesia also allowed sensory evoked potentials to be recorded reliably.