Mariana Werneck Fonseca
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Verônica Batista de Albuquerque
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Gabriel T. N. Martins Ferreira
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Marcelo Augusto de Araújo
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Wagner Luis Ferreira
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This article investigates the electrocardiographic and blood pressure changes caused by different doses of morphine administered epidurally to bitches undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy. Twenty-four healthy bitches weighing 9.8 ± 4.1 kg were assigned to three experimental groups (in each group, n = 8): (i) group M0.1: 0.1 mg/kg morphine; (ii) group M0.15: 0.15 mg/kg morphine; and (iii) group M0.2: 0.2 mg/kg morphine. In all groups, levobupivacaine was added to achieve a total volume of 0.33 mL/kg. During the procedures, the following parameters were controlled: heart rate and rhythm, systolic blood pressure, rectal temperature and blood lactate. The data were analyzed by means of statistical methods of analysis of variance, such as Kruskal-Wallis, Fisher and Tukey tests. Epidural morphine did not cause significant electrocardiographic or blood pressure changes in the tested doses, which makes the use of this drug a viable alternative for epidural anesthesia.