Efficacy of maropitant in preventing vomiting in dogs premedicated with hydromorphone

Objective The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of maropitant (Cerenia (R)) in preventing vomiting after premedication with hydromorphone. Study design Randomized, blinded, prospective clinical study. Animals Eighteen dogs ASA I/II admitted for elective orthopedic surgical procedures. The dogswere a mixed population of males and females, purebreds and mixed breeds, 1.0-10.2 years of age, weighing 3-49.5 kg. Methods Dogs were admitted to the study if they were greater than 1 year of age, healthy and scheduled to undergo elective orthopedic surgery. Dogs were randomly selected to receive one of two treatments administered by subcutaneous injection. Group M received 1.0 mg kg(-1) of maropitant, Group S received 0.1 mL kg(-1) of saline 1 hour prior to anesthesia premedication. Dogs were premedicated with 0.1 mg kg(-1) of hydromorphone intramuscularly. A blinded observer documented the presence of vomiting, retching and/or signs of nausea for 30 minutes after premedication. Results All dogs in S vomited (6/9), retched (1/9) or displayed signs of nausea (2/9). None (0/9) of the dogs in M vomited, retched or displayed signs of nausea. Dogs in M had significantly fewer incidences of vomiting (p = 0.0090), vomiting and retching (p = 0.0023) and vomiting, retching and nausea (p < 0.0001) when compared to S. Conclusion and clinical relevance Maropitant prevents vomiting, retching and nausea associated with intramuscular hydromorphone administration in dogs.