Veterinarian gently performing spay surgery on a dog

Spaying Made Simpler: Can a Butorphanol and Ropivacaine Combo Offer Gentler OSH Procedures for Dogs?

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring Epidural Anesthesia: A kinder approach to ovariohysterectomy, reducing stress and improving recovery in canine patients."

Veterinary medicine constantly seeks safer, more versatile anesthetic protocols that minimize side effects, benefiting both patients and surgical teams. Epidural anesthesia has emerged as a valuable technique, particularly for procedures like ovariohysterectomy (OSH) – commonly known as spaying – in female dogs. Its benefits include reduced cardiovascular and respiratory impact, effective post-operative pain management, and decreased overall stress during surgery.

Traditional methods of achieving the necessary level of anesthesia for OSH can sometimes present challenges. The height or extent of the anesthetic block achieved via epidural administration is influenced by several factors, most notably the type and volume of anesthetic drug used. Researchers are continuously exploring combinations of drugs to optimize these factors and improve patient outcomes.

A study published in the journal "Arquivos Brasileiros de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia" investigated the potential of combining butorphanol, an opioid analgesic, with ropivacaine, a local anesthetic, for epidural anesthesia in dogs undergoing OSH. This research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this drug combination in terms of onset and duration of action, as well as its suitability as a primary anesthetic protocol for this common surgical procedure.

Butorphanol and Ropivacaine: A Powerful Anesthetic Duo for Spaying?

Veterinarian gently performing spay surgery on a dog

The study, conducted by V.B. Albuquerque and colleagues, involved 16 healthy adult female dogs undergoing elective OSH. The dogs were divided into two groups: one receiving ropivacaine alone, and the other receiving a combination of butorphanol and ropivacaine. All animals were pre-medicated with acepromazine and midazolam to provide sedation and anxiety relief before the epidural administration.

The researchers carefully monitored the dogs throughout the procedure, assessing the onset (latency) and duration of the anesthetic block, as well as any signs of pain or discomfort. They also evaluated the feasibility of completing the surgery solely under epidural anesthesia, without the need for additional injectable anesthetics.

Key moments of evaluation included:

Before any anesthesia (baseline)
15 minutes after pre-anesthetic medication
30 minutes after epidural administration
At the beginning of surgery
During clamping of the left and right pedicles (structures containing blood vessels and nerves)
After ligation of the uterine cervix
During abdominal closure (laparorraphy)
At the end of skin suture

The findings revealed that the combination of butorphanol and ropivacaine offered several advantages. A significant 75% of the dogs receiving this combination were able to undergo the entire OSH procedure without requiring any additional anesthesia. This suggests that the drug combination provided a sufficient level of pain control and sedation for the surgery. In contrast, all dogs in the ropivacaine-only group needed supplemental anesthesia due to signs of pain.

The Verdict: A Step Towards Kinder Spaying Practices?

While the study did not find significant differences in the onset or duration of the anesthetic block between the two groups, the ability to complete the OSH procedure without supplemental anesthesia in the butorphanol-ropivacaine group highlights the potential benefits of this combination. The researchers concluded that the combination provides adequate anesthesia for OSH, with a short onset time and sufficient duration of effect. This approach could lead to less stress and a smoother recovery for canine patients undergoing spaying.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/s0102-09352010000400007, Alternate LINK

Title: Influência Do Butorfanol Sobre Os Períodos De Latência E De Ação Da Ropivacaína Pela Via Peridural Na Ovariossalpingo-Histerectomia Em Cadelas

Subject: General Veterinary

Journal: Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: V.B. Albuquerque, T.F.B. Souza, M.C.R. Vivan, J.Z. Ferreira, M.C. Frade, S.H.V. Perri, V.N.L.S. Oliva

Published: 2010-08-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are the primary benefits of using epidural anesthesia, especially for a procedure like ovariohysterectomy (OSH) in dogs?

Epidural anesthesia offers several benefits for canine ovariohysterectomy (OSH) procedures. It reduces cardiovascular and respiratory impact, provides effective post-operative pain management, and decreases overall stress during surgery. This kinder approach can lead to improved recovery and a more comfortable experience for the dog compared to traditional anesthesia methods. Further research could explore the long-term benefits of reduced stress on the dog's overall health and well-being post-surgery.

What did the study by V.B. Albuquerque and colleagues specifically investigate regarding anesthesia for spaying procedures in dogs?

The study by V.B. Albuquerque and colleagues investigated the potential of combining butorphanol, an opioid analgesic, with ropivacaine, a local anesthetic, for epidural anesthesia in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OSH). The research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this drug combination in terms of onset and duration of action, and its suitability as a primary anesthetic protocol, potentially minimizing the need for additional anesthetics. It builds upon existing knowledge of epidural anesthesia by exploring specific drug combinations.

How was the effectiveness of the butorphanol and ropivacaine combination evaluated during the dog spaying study?

During the study, the effectiveness of the butorphanol and ropivacaine combination was evaluated through careful monitoring of the dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OSH). Researchers assessed the onset (latency) and duration of the anesthetic block, observed any signs of pain or discomfort, and determined whether the surgery could be completed solely under epidural anesthesia, without the need for additional injectable anesthetics. Evaluations were performed at baseline, after pre-anesthetic medication, after epidural administration, and throughout key surgical moments like clamping pedicles, ligating the uterine cervix, abdominal closure, and skin suture.

What were the main findings regarding the use of a butorphanol and ropivacaine combination for epidural anesthesia in dogs undergoing spaying, compared to using ropivacaine alone?

The study's key finding was that combining butorphanol and ropivacaine allowed 75% of dogs to undergo the entire ovariohysterectomy (OSH) procedure without needing any supplemental anesthesia, indicating sufficient pain control and sedation. In contrast, all dogs receiving only ropivacaine required additional anesthesia due to signs of pain. While the onset and duration of the anesthetic block were similar between the groups, the ability to complete the surgery without supplemental anesthesia highlights the benefits of the butorphanol-ropivacaine combination.

What are the potential implications of using a butorphanol and ropivacaine combination for epidural anesthesia in canine spaying procedures, and how might it change veterinary practices?

The use of a butorphanol and ropivacaine combination for epidural anesthesia in canine ovariohysterectomy (OSH) suggests a move towards kinder spaying practices. Its effectiveness in reducing the need for supplemental anesthesia implies less stress and a smoother recovery for dogs. This approach could lead to increased adoption of epidural techniques among veterinarians and influence the development of anesthetic protocols that prioritize patient comfort and minimize potential side effects. Further research could explore tailored drug combinations that may exist for various breeds and ages.