Role of high dilutions in anesthetic recovery in dogs

Introduction: Post-operative period has been associated with risks like depression of cardiorespiratory system, hypothermia etc., especially under influence of anesthesia. Therefore, short anesthetic recovery in important. Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether homeopathic drug Papaver somniferum 30cH can help reducing the duration of post-surgery anesthesia, and whether there is any change in cardiac rhythm and body temperature. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 16 dogs submitted for sterilization surgery in the Veterinary Hospital of University of Santo Amaro. The animals were divided in three groups: Group-I: treated with Papaver 30cH (n=7); Group-II: treated with 10% hydroalcoholic solution (n=5) (positive control); and Group-III: negative controls (who did not take anything)(n=4). Four drops of drug/placebo were given per os, immediately after the surgery, repeated every 15 min until dog became conscious. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA followed by the Tuckey Krammer Test, p ≤0.05 being significant. Results: The results showed that animals treated with Papaver returned from anesthesia (20 ± 2.80 minutes) faster than the hydroalcoholic group (34±6.49 minutes), p≤0.05. No statistical difference was seen between the positive and negative control. There was no statistical difference between the groups in cardiorespiratory and temperature parameters. Discussion: Other studies have shown similar effects using Veratrum album. The Papaver somniferum has remarkable pharmacological action in bradycardia, bradypnea, respiratory smooth muscle, with sedative and analgesic properties. Conclusion: The Papaver somniferum 30cH may be considered as a medicinal aid in the shortening the post-surgical anesthesia time, however more studies are needed to establish this observation.