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Topic:Detomidine
Detomidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist commonly used as a sedative and analgesic in horses. It acts by binding to alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, resulting in sedation, muscle relaxation, and pain relief. This pharmacological agent is utilized in various veterinary procedures to facilitate handling, diagnostic imaging, and minor surgical interventions. Detomidine's effects on cardiovascular and respiratory systems are well-documented, and its use requires careful dosing and monitoring. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and clinical applications of detomidine in equine medicine.
Protocols using detomidine and oxytocin induce ex copula ejaculation in stallions. Tricyclic antidepressives, such as imipramine, indirectly induce ejaculation by increasing the noradrenaline concentration, which triggers an α-adrenergic response, whereas α-adrenergic agonists, such as xylazine and detomidine, directly trigger ejaculation by activating the α-1 adrenergic receptors. Furthermore, serum oxytocin concentrations in stallions increase drastically before ejaculation, but decline immediately thereafter, implicating the role of this hormone in emission. The objectives of the present study were to: 1) compare the efficiency of various protocols for inducing ex copu...
Evaluation of the sedative effects and pharmacokinetics of detomidine gel administered intravaginally to horses. To determine the sedative effects and pharmacokinetic profile of detomidine when administered intravaginally as a gel formulation to horses. Methods: Randomized, crossover, masked experimental design. Methods: A group of six healthy adult mares (494 ± 56 kg). Methods: Mares were studied on two occasions and were administered either detomidine hydrochloride (10 μg kg) intravenously (treatment IV) or detomidine gel (40 μg kg) intravaginally (treatment IVG), separated by 1 week. Sedation, ataxia, muzzle-floor distance and heart rate (HR) were evaluated every 15 minutes for 240 minutes. Venous ...
A retrospective study of fecal output and postprocedure colic in 246 horses undergoing standing sedation with detomidine, or general anesthesia with or without detomidine. To determine time to first passage of feces, total fecal piles and incidence of colic in the first 24 hours postprocedure in horses undergoing standing sedation with detomidine, or general anesthesia with or without detomidine. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: A total of 246 horses. Methods: Records of all horses that underwent standing sedation or general anesthesia between December 2012 and March 2016 were reviewed. Horses aged <6 months, admitted for colic or cesarean section, with inadequate data, and those not administered xylazine and/or detomidine were excluded. Records inc...
A kinematic comparison of the locomotor pattern of horses sedated with detomidine alone and in combination with low doses of butorphanol. Chemical restraint is often used to perform diagnostic and minor surgical procedures; α2 -adrenoceptor agonists are the most commonly used drugs; however, the combination with an opiate can induce a profound sedation. There is a lack of kinematic studies examining the effects of the combination of these drugs on locomotor patterns. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the duration of the effects of sedation with detomidine and detomidine combined with a low dose of butorphanol on the movement patterns of horses. Methods: The study was a controlled, randomised, blinded and cro...
Therapeutic developments in equine pain management. Many drugs and non-drug modalities are used to manage pain in horses, but evidence regarding efficacy and safety remains limited. This manuscript will first briefly review tried and tested techniques, e.g. the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, in the management of pain. Newer approaches to administering medications such as oral use of detomidine, which was previously only administered by injection, will also be discussed. Finally, introductory information on newer therapies, for example acupuncture and chiropractic manipulation, that the veterinarian may consider for the management...
Subtourniquet pressures generated by application of wide-rubber tourniquets in standing, sedated horses. To determine the influence of location and movement on subtourniquet pressure (STP) generated by application of a wide-rubber tourniquet (WRT) on equine limbs. Methods: Randomized experimental cross-over design. Methods: Six standing, sedated horses. Methods: Horses were sedated with detomidine hydrochloride (0.2 μg/kg IV), and 4 investigators applied WRTs to the antebrachium (AB), gaskin (GK), and midmetacarpus (MC) of each horse in a predetermined, randomized order. Subtourniquet pressure was consequently measured at 10-minute intervals (T0, T10, T20, T30) for 30 minutes. Indirect systo...
Clinical applicability of detomidine and methadone constant rate infusions for surgery in standing horses. To determine the required rate of a detomidine infusion (loading dose 5 μg kg; initial rate 12.5 μg kg hour) added to a constant infusion of methadone (0.2 mg kg; 0.05 mg kg hour) for sedation in standing horses and ponies undergoing elective surgeries with appropriate local anaesthetic techniques. Methods: Prospective, clinical study. Methods: Adult, healthy, client-owned, non-food-producing horses or ponies sedated for elective standing surgeries longer than 45 minutes. Methods: At baseline (in the stables before administration of sedative agents), at 10 minutes after sedation and every 5 ...
Sedative and antinociceptive effects of different detomidine constant rate infusions, with or without methadone in standing horses. Standing surgery avoids the risks of general anaesthesia in horses. Objective: To assess sedation, antinociception and gastrointestinal motility in standing horses after a detomidine loading dose and 2-h constant rate intravenous (i.v.) infusion, with or without methadone. Methods: Blinded, randomised, crossover with seven healthy adult cross-bred horses, three geldings and four females (404 ± 22 kg). Methods: Five i.v. treatments were administered to all horses with 1-week washout period: saline (SAL), detomidine low (2.5 μg/kg bwt + 6.25 μg/kg bwt/h) (DL) and high doses (5 μg/kg ...
Characterisation of the in vivo interactions between detomidine and methadone in horses: Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modelling. Pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) modelling offers new insights to design protocols for sedation and analgesia in standing horses. Objective: To evaluate the parameters and interactions between detomidine and methadone when given alone or combined in standing horses. Methods: Randomised, placebo-controlled, blinded, crossover. Methods: Eight adult healthy horses were given six treatments intravenously: saline (SAL); detomidine (5 μg/kg bwt; DET); methadone (0.2 mg/kg bwt; MET) alone or combined with detomidine (2.5 [MLD], 5 [MMD] or 10 [MHD] μg/kg bwt). Venous blood samples were ob...
Influence of caudal epidural analgesia on cortisol concentrations and pain-related behavioral responses in mares during and after ovariectomy via colpotomy. To determine the influence of epidural detomidine and morphine on serum corticosteroid concentrations and pain-related behavioral responses in mares during and after ovariectomy via colpotomy. Methods: Blinded prospective study. Methods: Nine university-owned mares. Methods: Five of 9 horses received caudal epidural detomidine hydrochloride (0.01 mg/kg) and morphine sulfate (0.1 mg/kg) prior to surgery. All horses received local anesthetic around the ovarian pedicle, 0.02 mg/kg butorphanol IV at the start of the procedure and after first ovary removal, were sedated as required throughout the p...
Comparison of morphological changes and tactile sensitivity of the pharynx and larynx between four standing sedative and analgesic protocols in eight adult healthy horses. To compare the topographic modifications and tactile sensitivity of the pharynx and larynx after administration of four sedative and analgesic protocols in standing horses. Methods: Experimental, observer-blinded, crossover study. Methods: Eight healthy mares. Methods: Five protocols were evaluated: 1) xylazine and butorphanol administered intravenously (IV); 2) detomidine and butorphanol administered IV; 3) xylazine administered IV and lidocaine topically; 4) detomidine administered IV and lidocaine topically and 5) no analgesia or sedation (control). Quality of sedation, head height and sudd...
Effects of MK-467 hydrochloride and hyoscine butylbromide on cardiorespiratory and gastrointestinal changes induced by detomidine hydrochloride in horses. OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of MK-467 and hyoscine butylbromide on detomidine hydrochloride-induced cardiorespiratory and gastrointestinal changes in horses. ANIMALS 6 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURES Horses received detomidine hydrochloride (20 μg/kg, IV), followed 10 minutes later by MK-467 hydrochloride (150 μg/kg; DET-MK), hyoscine butylbromide (0.2 mg/kg; DET-HYO), or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (DET-S), IV, in a Latin square design. Heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, arterial and venous blood pressures, and cardiac output were measured; blood gases and arterial plas...
In vivo evaluation of effects of sedation on results of acoustoelastography of the superficial digital flexor tendons in clinically normal horses. OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of sedation on results of acoustoelastography of the superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) in clinically normal horses. ANIMALS 27 clinically normal horses. PROCEDURES For each horse, the pathology index (PI) for the SDFT of each thoracic limb was determined by use of acoustoelastography at 4 locations (5, 10, 15, and 20 cm distal to the accessory carpal bone). Horses were evaluated before and after they were sedated with a combination of detomidine hydrochloride (0.01 mg/kg, IV) and butorphanol tartrate (0.01 mg/kg, IV). A repeated-measures ANOVA was used ...
Effects of selective α2 -adrenergic receptor agonists on electrical field-stimulated contractions of isolated bronchi in horses. We investigated the effects of different selective α -adrenergic receptor (AR) agonists (detomidine, medetomidine, xylazine, and brimonidine) on the contractions of horse-isolated bronchi induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) and by carbachol. No effects were observed on the contraction induced by carbachol, while α -AR agonists reduced EFS-evoked contractions in a concentration-related fashion. The rank order of potency (pD ) was brimonidine (7.40 ± 0.20) >medetomidine (7.09 ± 0.24) >detomidine (6.13 ± 0.55) >xylazine (4.59 ± 0.16). The maximal effects (E ) were -56.3% ...
Evaluation of the use of midazolam as a co-induction agent with ketamine for anaesthesia in sedated ponies undergoing field castration. There are limited investigations comparing ketamine to a ketamine-midazolam co-induction. Objective: To compare quality and safety of general anaesthesia induced using ketamine alone with anaesthesia co-induced using ketamine and midazolam. Methods: Randomised, double blinded, placebo controlled trial. Methods: After i.v. detomidine (20 μg/kg) thirty-eight ponies undergoing field castration received either 0.06 mg/kg (0.6 mL/50 kg) midazolam (group M) or 0.6 mL/50 kg placebo (group P) with 2.2 mg/kg ketamine i.v. for anaesthetic induction. Quality of anaesthetic induction, endotracheal intuba...
Laparoscopic evaluation of the small intestine in the standing horse: Technique and effects. To evaluate the feasibility and clinical outcomes after laparoscopic evaluation of the small intestines via laparoscopy. Methods: Prospective pilot study. Methods: Healthy adult horses (n = 5). Methods: Horses were restrained in standing stocks and received an infusion of detomidine. One port was placed in the left last intercostal space and 3 ports were placed in the right paralumbar fossa. The small intestine was run with atraumatic laparoscopic grasping forceps, from the duodenocolic plica to the ileocecal plica. Postoperative pain was scored every 4 hours for the first 48 hours. Horses...
Sedative and antinociceptive effects of different combinations of detomidine and methadone in standing horses. To evaluate intravenous (IV) detomidine with methadone in horses to identify a combination which provides sedation and antinociception without adverse effects. Methods: Randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded, crossover. Methods: A group of eight adult healthy horses aged (mean ± standard deviation) 7 ± 2 years and 372 ± 27 kg. Methods: A total of six treatments were administered IV: saline (SAL); detomidine (5 μg kg; DET); methadone (0.2 mg kg; MET) alone or combined with detomidine [2.5 (MLD), 5 (MMD) or 10 (MHD) μg kg]. Thermal, mechanical and electrical nociceptive thresholds were mea...
Alfaxalone for maintenance of anaesthesia in ponies undergoing field castration: continuous infusion compared with intravenous boluses. To compare alfaxalone as continuous intravenous (IV) infusion with intermittent IV injections for maintenance of anaesthesia in ponies undergoing castration. Methods: Prospective, randomized, 'blinded' clinical study. Methods: A group of 33 entire male Welsh ponies undergoing field castration. Methods: After preanaesthetic medication with IV detomidine (10 μg kg) and butorphanol (0.05 mg kg), anaesthesia was induced with IV diazepam (0.05 mg kg) followed by alfaxalone (1 mg kg). After random allocation, anaesthesia was maintained with either IV alfaxalone 2 mg kg hour (group A; n ...
Effect of detomidine or romifidine constant rate infusion on plasma lactate concentration and inhalant requirements during isoflurane anaesthesia in horses. Influence of detomidine or romifidine constant rate infusion (CRI) on plasma lactate concentration and isoflurane requirements in horses undergoing elective surgery. Methods: Prospective, randomised, blinded, clinical trial. Methods: A total of 24 adult healthy horses. Methods: All horses were administered intramuscular acepromazine (0.02 mg kg) and either intravenous detomidine (0.02 mg kg) (group D), romifidine (0.08 mg kg) (group R) or xylazine (1.0 mg kg) (group C) prior to anaesthesia. Group D was administered detomidine CRI (10 μg kg hour) in lactated Ringer's solution (LRS), group...
Effect of the α2 -receptor agonists medetomidine, detomidine, xylazine, and romifidine on the ketamine metabolism in equines assessed with enantioselective capillary electrophoresis. The combination of ketamine and an α -receptor agonist is often used in veterinary medicine. Four different α -receptor agonists, medetomidine, detomidine, xylazine, and romifidine, which differ in their chemical structure and thus in selectivity for the α -receptor and in the sedative and analgesic potency, are typically employed during surgery of equines. Recovery following anesthesia with ketamine and an α -receptor agonist is dependent on the α -receptor agonist. This prompted us to investigate (i) the inhibition characteristics for the N-demethylation of ketamine to norketamine and (...
Effects of xylazine and dexmedetomidine on equine articular chondrocytes in vitro. To assess the effects of xylazine and dexmedetomidine on equine chondrocytes, in vitro. Methods: Prospective, experimental study. Methods: Equine articular chondrocytes from five male horses. Methods: Chondrocytes were isolated from healthy equine articular cartilage of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joints. Cell viability was assessed using the WST-8 assay by exposing chondrocytes to xylazine (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16.6, 25, 50 mg mL) or dexmedetomidine (0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.175, 0.25 mg mL) for 15, 30 and 60 minutes. Based on the results of these tests, cells were treated with xyla...
Measurement of intraocular pressure in healthy anesthetized horses during hoisting. To measure intraocular pressure (IOP) in horses during hoisting after induction of anesthesia. Methods: Prospective nonrandomized clinical study. Methods: Eighteen healthy adult horses aged [mean±standard deviation (SD)] 10±4.2 years and weighing 491±110 kg anesthetized for elective procedures. Methods: IOP was measured in the superior eye of each horse based on planned recumbency after induction of anesthesia. Measurements were taken directly after premedication with xylazine or detomidine with butorphanol, after induction with diazepam-ketamine, after intubation, when suspended by the ho...
Retrospective analysis of detomidine infusion for standing chemical restraint in 51 horses. To assess the effectiveness of a detomidine infusion technique to provide standing chemical restraint in the horse. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Fifty-one adult horses aged 9.5 ± 6.9 years (range 1-23 years) and weighing 575 ± 290.3 kg. Methods: Records of horses presented to our clinic over a 3-year period in which a detomidine infusion was used to provide standing chemical restraint were reviewed. Information relating to the types of procedure performed, duration of infusion, drug dosages and adjunct drugs administered was retrieved. Results: Detomidine was administered as an ini...
The relationship of muscle perfusion and metabolism with cardiovascular variables before and after detomidine injection during propofol-ketamine anaesthesia in horses. To study in horses (1) the relationship between cardiovascular variables and muscle perfusion during propofol-ketamine anaesthesia, (2) the physiological effects of a single intravenous (IV) detomidine injection, (3) the metabolic response of muscle to anaesthesia, and (4) the effects of propofol-ketamine infusion on respiratory function. Methods: Prospective experimental study. Methods: Seven standardbred trotters, 5-12 years old, 416-581 kg. Methods: Anaesthesia was induced with intravenous (IV) guaifenesin and propofol (2 mg kg) and maintained with a continuous IV infusion of propofol (0.15...
Hormonal, metabolic and physiological effects of laparoscopic surgery using a detomidine-buprenorphine combination in standing horses. To assess the hormonal, metabolic and physiological effects of laparascopic surgery performed under a sedative analgesic combination of detomidine and buprenorphine in standing horses. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: Eight healthy adult Dutch Warmblood horses and five healthy adult ponies undergoing laparoscopy were studied. Five healthy adult horses not undergoing laparoscopy were used as a control group. Methods: The sedative effect of an initial detomidine and buprenorphine injection was maintained using a continuous infusion of detomidine alone. The heart and respiratory rate, arteria...
Detomidine reduces isoflurane anesthetic requirement (MAC) in horses. To quantitate the dose- and time-related magnitude of the anesthetic sparing effect of, and selected physiological responses to detomidine during isoflurane anesthesia in horses. Methods: Randomized cross-over study. Methods: Three, healthy, young adult horses weighing 485 ± 14 kg. Methods: Horses were anesthetized on two occasions to determine the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane in O and then to measure the anesthetic sparing effect (time-related MAC reduction) following IV detomidine (0.03 and 0.06 mg kg). Selected common measures of cardiopulmonary function, blood glucos...
Propofol anaesthesia for surgery in late gestation pony mares. To characterize propofol anaesthesia in pregnant ponies. Methods: Fourteen pony mares, at 256 ± 49 days gestation, undergoing abdominal surgery to implant fetal and maternal vascular catheters. Methods: Pre-anaesthetic medication with intravenous (IV) acepromazine (20 µg kg), butorphanol (20 µg kg) and detomidine (10 µg kg) was given 30 minutes before induction of anaesthesia with detomidine (10 µg kg) and ketamine (2 mg kg) IV Maternal arterial blood pressure was recorded (facial artery) throughout anaesthesia. Arterial blood gas values and plasma concentrations of glucose, lactate, cort...
Serum concentrations and effects of detomidine delivered orally to horses in three different mediums. To compare the effect of orally delivered detomidine on head posture when administered alone or in combination with two different food items, and to determine the serum concentrations of detomidine after oral delivery. Methods: Prospective randomized experimental study. Methods: Fifteen adult grade mares weighing 328-537 kg. Methods: The horses were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups (five horses each). The groups were given detomidine (0.06 mg kg): alone; mixed with 3 mL of an apple sauce and gum mixture; or mixed with 3 mL molasses. Head droop, measured before treatment a...
