Use of Ultradiluted Medications, Nux vomica, and Papaver somniferum as an Aid to the Anesthesia Recovery of Cats Submitted to Elective Ovariohysterectomy

Background: Administration of anesthetic agent causes perturbations to patient's homeostasis. Complications can occur, such as depression of the cardiorespiratory system and hypothermia, which can remain along the post-surgical period. Therefore, the search for a short anesthetic recovery helps reduce the risk of complications after surgery.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate whether the ultradiluted medications Nux vomica 6CH and Papaver somniferum 30CH can help shorten the time of anesthetic recovery in female cats, and if there are differences among groups in heart and breathing rates, blood pressure, and temperature.

Materials and Methods: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee for Animal Experimentation of the Santo Amaro University (no. 29/2014). Animals were treated in three groups of 10 to 12 animals in each: Nux, Papaver, and 10% hydroalcoholic solution. Each individual took four drops of each medication, for 1 hour, every 15 minutes. Afterwards, they were evaluated for heart and breathing rates and temperature, and time of anesthetic recovery was measured in minutes. The study was conducted in blind and the codes were revealed only after the statistical analysis results. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA, followed by Tukey's test, p-value being < 0.05.

Results: The results showed that animals treated with Papaver returned from anesthesia (25.63 ± 18.65 minutes) faster than the hydroalcoholic group (55.63 ± 25.83 minutes); p ≤ 0.05. The Nux group also returned from anesthesia (24.25 ± 14.17 minutes) faster than the hydroalcoholic group. There was no statistical difference between the groups in the cardiorespiratory and temperature parameters.

Discussion: Other studies have shown similar effects using homeopathic medications. Although not preventing hypothermia, the medications used shortened the anesthetic recovery time.

Conclusion: Nux vomica 6CH and Papaver somniferum 30CH can be considered an auxiliary medication in the reduction of anesthesia recovery. However, more studies are necessary to establish this observation.

Keywords: Ultradiluted medication, homeopathy, anesthesia recovery, Papaver somniferum, Nux vomica