Physiological, cardiopulmonary and clinico-surgical effects of auriculoelectroacupuncture anaesthesia in dogs

Abstract

Electroacupuncture stimulation of acupoints GV -20, UB-62 and auricular abdominal analgesia area bilaterally produced excellent and complete anaesthesia with good muscle relaxation at upper and lower flank, anterior quadrant of abdomen, ventrolateral abdomen, pelvic and perineal region, teats and udder along with anus and vulva, forelimbs (up to carpal joint) and hindlimbs (up to hock joint) medial and lateral aspects of thigh and good degree of anaesthesia at neck region and base of tail. The duration of anaesthesia lasted as long as stimulation continued. A nonsignificant and mild increase in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was seen after electroacupuncture stimulation. Rectal temperature, tidal volume, minute volume, central venous pressure (CVP) and electrocardiogram (ECG) were not affected. Laparotomy, gastrotomy, end to end anastomosis of intestine and ovariohysterectomy were successfully performed without any inconvenience to the animals after electroacupuncture stimulation.