The effect of intranasal Medetomidine/Ketamine and Diazepam/Ketamine combinations on tear production and intraocular pressure in dogs

To determine the effect of intranasal medetomidine/ketamine and diazepam/ketamine combinations on tear production and intraocular pressure in dogs. The animal material included 28 dogs of different breeds, ages, weights and genders that were brought to the surgery department of the Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for simple anesthesia indications but were otherwise healthy ocularly. In a crossover design, the dogs were randomly assigned to 4 groups of 7 dogs. Animals in the first group were given 50 μg/kg of medetomidine and 10 mg/kg of ketamine intramuscularly (MEK-IM). The second group of animals was given 50 μg/kg of medetomidine and 10 mg/kg of ketamine intranasally (MEK-IN). The third group received 10 mg/kg of ketamine and 0.3 mg/kg of diazepam intramuscularly (DK-IM). The fourth group received 10 mg/kg of ketamine and 0.3 mg/kg of diazepam intanasally (DK-IN). Comparison of the data of more than two groups was done by ANOVA one-way test. The results of the study showed that MEK-IN and DK-IN combinations significantly decreased tear secretion and intraocular pressure in dogs. The decrease in tear secretion was more pronounced with the MEK-IN combination than with the DK-IN. The decrease in intraocular pressure was more pronounced with the MEK-IN combination than with the DK-IN. These results suggest that MEK-IN and DK-IN combinations can be used as pre-anesthetics in dogs to reduce tear secretion and intraocular pressure. Further studies are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these combinations in clinical settings.