Sedative effect with the combination of butorphanol and midazolam on two-dimensional shear wave elastography of pancreas and kidney in healthy dogs

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the sedative effect of a combination of butorphanol and midazolam on 2-D shear wave elastography (SWE) of the kidneys and pancreas in dogs.ANIMALS8 clinically healthy dogs.PROCEDURESWe conducted a 2-D SWE examination of the bilateral kidneys and the pancreas before and after IV of 0.2 mg/kg butorphanol and 0.1 mg/kg midazolam in each dog. We performed 2-D SWE on the left kidney via a subcostal approach with the dog in right lateral recumbency, on the right kidney via the intercostal approach with the dog in left lateral recumbency, and on the right lobe of the pancreas via the subcostal approach. Subsequently, the pan- creas and kidney shear wave velocities (SWV) pre-and postsedation were compared.RESULTSOn qualitative evaluation using color mapping, the pancreas and kidneys showed a homogeneous blue-to-green color in pre-and post-sedation 2-D SWE. There was no significant difference in SWV pre-and post-sedation in the pancreas and kidneys.CLINICAL RELEVANCEIntravenous administration of a combination of 0.2 mg/kg butorphanol and 0.1 mg/kg midazolam did not change the 2-D SWE of the pancreas and kidneys significantly. The combination of butorphanol and midazolam can be used in healthy dogs for 2-D SWE evaluation of the pancreas and kidneys, especially when the patient is uncooperative during the examination.