Effects of Pentobarbital Anesthesia on Survival, 'Escherichia coli' Clearance, Glucose and Leukocyte Concentration in Dogs Subjected to LD100. 'Escherichia coli'

This study was conducted to determine the effects of sodium pentobarbital anesthesia on survival of the dog, leukocyte response, E. coli clearance from the peripheral blood and blood glucose concentration in the leukocytotic endotoxin pre-injected canine subjected to a LD(100) of live E. coli organisms. Our laboratory has shown that the awake leukocytotic endotoxin pre-injected canine survives lethal doses of E. coli live organisms or endotoxin. Sodium pentobarbital anesthesia decreased survival in the leukocytotic canine which was associated with an increased hemoconcentration and hypothermia. Anesthesia did not alter either clearance of E. coli organisms from peripheral blood or blood glucose concentrations and there were only minor changes in leukocyte response. These data suggest that one should use the awake canine or provide means for preventing hemoconcentration and hypothermia in septic shock studies while using the anesthetized dog as the animal model. (Author)