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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Pharmacol Ther / A comparison of the sedative effects of three alpha 2-adreno...
Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics1992; 15(2); 194-201; doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.1992.tb01007.x

A comparison of the sedative effects of three alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists (romifidine, detomidine and xylazine) in the horse.

Abstract: The sedative effects of a new alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, romifidine, were compared with those of xylazine and detomidine. Five horses were treated with two doses of romifidine (40 micrograms/kg body weight and 80 micrograms/kg body weight), two doses of detomidine (10 micrograms/kg body weight and 20 micrograms/kg body weight) and one dose of xylazine (1 mg/kg body weight) given by intravenous injection using a Latin-square design. The dose of 80 micrograms/kg romifidine appeared equipotent to 1 mg/kg xylazine and 20 micrograms/kg detomidine, although at these doses both xylazine and detomidine had a shorter action. Detomidine 20 micrograms/kg and xylazine both produced greater lowering of the head and a greater degree of ataxia than romifidine at either dose. Romifidine produced sedation similar to that of the other drug regimes. The effect upon imposed stimuli was similar.
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Publication Date: 1992-06-01 PubMed ID: 1359161DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.1992.tb01007.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper compares the sedative effects of three drugs, namely Romifidine, Detomidine, and Xylazine, in horses. It was observed that Romifidine produced similar sedation effect but with less impairment on the horses’ movement and stability.

Objective of the study

  • The study aimed to observe and compare the sedative effects of three different alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists on horses. These drugs were Romifidine, Detomidine, and Xylazine.

Methodology

  • The experiment was carried out on five horses who were treated with two different doses of Romifidine, two doses of Detomidine and a single dose of Xylazine.
  • The administration of these doses was done intravenously, using a Latin-square design.

Findings

  • The higher dose of Romifidine, i.e., 80 micrograms/kg, seemed to be as potent as the doses of 1mg/kg of Xylazine and 20 micrograms/kg of Detomidine.
  • However, it was found that the effect of Xylazine and Detomidine, even at these doses, did not last as long as that of Romifidine.
  • Additionally, the horses experienced a greater degree of ataxia (loss of full control of bodily movements) and lowering of the head with Detomidine 20 micrograms/kg and Xylazine, when compared to either dose of Romifidine.
  • When it came to responding to stimulated stimuli, it was observed that the effect was more or less similar across all the drugs.
  • In terms of sedation, Romifidine was found to produce effects similar to the other two drugs.

Conclusions

  • Based on the findings, it could be concluded that Romifidine, while providing similar sedative effects, results in less physical impairment in horses as compared to Detomidine and Xylazine. This makes it a feasible alternative to consider in horse sedation.

Cite This Article

APA
England GC, Clarke KW, Goossens L. (1992). A comparison of the sedative effects of three alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists (romifidine, detomidine and xylazine) in the horse. J Vet Pharmacol Ther, 15(2), 194-201. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2885.1992.tb01007.x

Publication

Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics
ISSN: 0140-7783
NlmUniqueID: 7910920
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 2
Pages: 194-201

Researcher Affiliations

England, G C
  • Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
Clarke, K W
    Goossens, L

      MeSH Terms

      • Acoustic Stimulation
      • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / pharmacology
      • Animals
      • Ataxia / chemically induced
      • Ataxia / veterinary
      • Heart Rate / drug effects
      • Horse Diseases / chemically induced
      • Horses / physiology
      • Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology
      • Imidazoles / pharmacology
      • Male
      • Penis / drug effects
      • Photic Stimulation
      • Physical Stimulation
      • Sweating / drug effects
      • Urination / drug effects
      • Xylazine / pharmacology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 30 times.
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