The effects of butorphanol and pentazocine on the circulatory system was investigated in 10 healthy dogs under halothane anesthesia. An injection of butorphanol (0.5 mg/kg) had quite similar effects on the circulatory system to those by an injection of pentazocin (2 mg/kg) . The arterial pressure and respiratory rates were slightly more depressed by butorphanol than by pentazocine. The after-load was diminished due to the reduced peripheral vascular resistance in butorphanol-injected dogs. As a result, the cardiac output was either increased or maintained, and the renal blood flow was also increased in butorphanol group. These results may indicate the safety and usefulness of butorphanol as an analgesic agent in halothane anesthesia.
VSD with pulmonary hypertension in a Japanese Black steer (8 months of age) weighing about 200 kg was diagnosed mainly by the results of cardiac catheterization performed percutaneously at a standing position without sedation or anesthesia. A 5 French, 100 cm catheter inserted into the left jugular vein via a 12-gauge cannula was easily introduced into each portion of the heart, involving the pulmonary artery and the left ventricle. This diagnostic technique is little invasive, easily applicable, and quite useful for the diagnosis and prognosis of cardiac and/or pulmonary diseases in bovine practice.