The sedative effect of intravenous butorphanol in dogs with intracranial space occupying lesions or indicators of intracranial hypertension.

Objective: To determine whether dogs with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-determined intracranial space occupying lesions (MRI-iSOLs) or intracranial hypertension (MRI-ICH) had greater sedation scores and quicker onset of recumbency following premedication with intravenous (IV) butorphanol in comparison with dogs which had normal MRI findings.

Study Design: Prospective, observational study.

Animals: A total of 53 dogs presenting for brain MRI were included.