Induction of Anesthesia Using Diazepam/Ketamine in Dogs with Complete Heart Block A Preliminary Report

Intravenous diazepam and ketamine were used to induce anesthesia in four dogs with complete heart block while cardiac and hemodynamic measurements were made. Immediately after induction there were minor changes in the measured variables. However, 5 minutes after injection, with the dogs supine and mechanically ventilated, cardiac output was reduced 41%. An additional 20 dogs with heart block had uncomplicated induction when this drug combination was used. The combination of diazepam and ketamine appears useful for inducing anesthesia in dogs with heart lesions, although further studies must be done to establish its value in such patients.