Cardiovascular, respiratory, electrolyte and acid-base balance during continuous dexmedetomidine infusion in anesthetized dogs

Dexmedetomidine infusion using a loading dose of 0.5 μg kg−1 IV followed by a constant rate infusion of 0.5 μg kg−1 hour−1 does not cause any significant changes beyond those associated with an IM premedication dose of 10 μg kg−1, in propofol-isoflurane anesthetized dogs. IM dexmedetomidine given 108 ± 2 minutes before onset of infusion showed typical significant effects on cardiovascular parameters.