Nasal spray xylometazoline reduces intubation needs in dogs during surgery

Dr. Jun‑Yan Sek, a small‑animal surgical registrar at JCUVet and lecturer at James Cook University, led a trial that tested a human nasal decongestant spray on dogs undergoing routine surgery last month at the university’s teaching hospital. The drug, xylometazoline hydrochloride, was applied to the dogs’ nostrils before anesthesia to see if it could improve airway clearance and reduce the need for invasive intubation.

Veterinary surgeons have long struggled with airway management in dogs, especially brachycephalic breeds such as bulldogs and pugs that have narrow nasal passages. These dogs often require a tracheostomy or specialized tubes, which increase surgery time and risk of infection. Human medicine uses nasal sprays like xylometazoline to shrink swollen nasal tissues quickly, making breathing easier. Sek’s team hypothesised that a similar effect could help dogs breathe more freely under anaesthetic, lowering complications and streamlining procedures.

The study enrolled 30 dogs of various breeds scheduled for spay, neuter or soft‑tissue surgeries. Half received a single dose of the spray 10 minutes before induction, while the control group received a saline spray. Dogs given xylometazoline showed a 40 percent reduction in the need for endotracheal tubes and a 30 percent drop in oxygen desaturation events during the first 15 minutes of anaesthesia. No adverse reactions were reported, and recovery times were similar between groups. The researchers presented the findings at the Australian Veterinary Association conference and posted a pre‑print on the university’s repository.

Sek plans to expand the trial to a larger, multi‑centre study later this year, targeting breeds most at risk of airway trouble. If the results hold, the spray could become a low‑cost, easy‑to‑administer tool for veterinarians worldwide. Regulatory approval will still be required, but the early data suggest a simple human medication may soon improve safety for thousands of dogs undergoing surgery.