Which vagal reflex is listed as a maneuver for dogs?

Which vagal reflex is listed as a maneuver for dogs?

• A. Carotid Sinus Massage (dog)
• B. Nasal-Cardiac Reflex (cat)
• C. Ocular-Cardiac Reflex (dog/cat)
• D. Gag reflex (unrelated)

Answer: (A)

Vagal maneuvers work by increasing parasympathetic influence on the heart to slow its rate and AV nodal conduction. In dogs, applying gentle pressure to the carotid sinus stimulates its baroreceptors, triggering a reflex that boosts vagal output to the heart. This slows the heart rate and reduces AV conduction, which can help manage certain fast rhythms or transient tachycardia during anesthesia. Other options describe reflexes that aren’t routinely used as deliberate vagal maneuvers in dogs (nasal–cardiac reflex is described in cats; gag reflex is an airway-protective reflex; ocular–cardiac reflex is a reflex also seen in dogs but not typically employed as a maneuver). Thus, carotid sinus massage is the vagal maneuver listed for dogs.

Vagal maneuvers work by increasing parasympathetic influence on the heart to slow its rate and AV nodal conduction. In dogs, applying gentle pressure to the carotid sinus stimulates its baroreceptors, triggering a reflex that boosts vagal output to the heart. This slows the heart rate and reduces AV conduction, which can help manage certain fast rhythms or transient tachycardia during anesthesia. Other options describe reflexes that aren’t routinely used as deliberate vagal maneuvers in dogs (nasal–cardiac reflex is described in cats; gag reflex is an airway-protective reflex; ocular–cardiac reflex is a reflex also seen in dogs but not typically employed as a maneuver). Thus, carotid sinus massage is the vagal maneuver listed for dogs.