Comparative effects of xylazine and propofol on the urethral pressure profile of healthy dogs.

The effects of 2 drugs, xylazine and propofol, on the urethral pressure profile were compared. Seven female dogs were sedated by administration of one drug, then the other, and urethral variables were measured. In the dogs sedated with propofol, the mean +/- SD, maximal urethral closure pressure (51 +/- 7.4 cm of H2O) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the value when dogs were sedated with xylazine (23.3 +/- 7.6 cm of H2O). Results were compared with those obtained by various authors, in particular for nonsedated dogs. It is concluded that propofol is a good drug for investigation of the urethral pressure profile, whatever its effect on maximal urethral closure pressure.