Determination of a safe sedative combination of dexmedetomidine, ketamine and butorphanol for minor procedures in dogs by use of a stepwise optimization method.

The application of this optimization method allowed the calculation of an optimal drug combination to sedate cardiovascularly healthy dogs. After having being tested in 112 animals, this combination can consequently be considered safe. Therefore, this combination can now be used in daily clinical practice for cardiovascularly healthy adult dogs undergoing minor procedures.