Anesthetic Sensitivity in the Neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan is considered a high risk induction patient. Your veterinarian should follow high risk procedures when inducing a Neapolitan. Pre-anesthetic should be given lightly and only to effect – just enough “to get the tube down”. We recommend that all Neapolitans be on supportive fluids during surgery and receive pre-anesthetic blood work/exam. Our veterinarian uses Oxymorphone/ Diazapam (Valium) LIGHTLY, Isoflurone or Sevoflurone via mask to effect and maintenance during surgery. Another veterinarian we use prefers Propofol to effect and Isoflurone during surgery. We have noticed that the Neapolitan’s anesthetized with Oxymorhone/Diazapam (Valium) with Isoflurone maintain better heart rate, are less depressed and recover faster. Chilling to shock is common post-op be prepared with warm blankets and maintain fluid therapy until recovery. Do not feed at least 12 hour pre surgery and 12 -24 hours post.

~ Use of Ketamine/Valium mix is a reasonable alternative as an induction agent but half the calculated dosage is often all that is needed

~ Use of Acepromazine, Xylazine(Rompun) are NOT recommended for our breed

~ Research is desperately needed to address Anesthesia and the Neapolitan Mastiff