Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Ondansetron in dogs with nausea associated with vestibular disease: A double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled crossover study

Henze, Lea; Foth, Sarah; Meller, Sebastian; Twele, Friederike; Charalambous, Marios; Kenward, Hannah; Elliott, Jonathan; Pelligand, Ludovic; Volk, Holger

Authors

Lea Henze

Sarah Foth

Sebastian Meller

Friederike Twele

Marios Charalambous

Hannah Kenward

Jonathan Elliott

Ludovic Pelligand

Holger Volk



Abstract

Background: Nausea and emesis can be, among other signs, common manifestations
of acute vestibular system dysfunction in dogs. Currently, antiemetic drugs, such as
maropitant and metoclopramide, are used commonly, but do not appear to control
nausea. A non-placebo-controlled preliminary study suggested good efficacy of 5-
HT3-receptor antagonists, such as ondansetron, against nausea in dogs with vestibular
syndrome.
Objectives: To assess and confirm the effect of ondansetron on behavior suggestive
of nausea in dogs with vestibular syndrome.
Animals: Fourteen dogs with vestibular syndrome and clinical signs of nausea presented
to a neurology service.
Methods: Placebo-controlled, double-blinded, crossover study. Behavioral assessment
was performed hourly for 4 hours using an established numerical rating scale.
The criteria salivation, lip licking, vocalization, restlessness, lethargy, and general nausea
were scored. The occurrence of emesis was recorded. After scoring at T0 (predose)
and T2 (2 hours post-dose) either ondansetron (0.5 mg/kg) or placebo was
injected IV. Two hours post-dose, treatments were switched. Blood samples were
collected to measure serum arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentration, which previously
has been shown to correlate with clinical signs of nausea.
Results: Clinical resolution of nausea was observed 1 hour after administration of
ondansetron, whereas serum AVP concentration decreased 4 hours after ondansetron
administration.
Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Administration of ondansetron IV is beneficial
for dogs with nausea secondary to acute vestibular syndrome. Ondansetron substantially
and rapidly decreased clinical signs of nausea behavior and stopped emesis.

Citation

Henze, L., Foth, S., Meller, S., Twele, F., Charalambous, M., Kenward, H., …Volk, H. (2022). Ondansetron in dogs with nausea associated with vestibular disease: A double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled crossover study. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16504

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 17, 2022
Online Publication Date Jul 30, 2022
Publication Date Jul 30, 2022
Deposit Date Aug 2, 2022
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Print ISSN 0891-6640
Publisher Wiley Open Access
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16504

Files




You might also like



Downloadable Citations