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(®)) 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 dogs were 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.