Topic:Pharmacology
Pharmacology in horses involves the study and application of drugs and medications to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases and conditions in equine species. This field encompasses the understanding of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics specific to horses, including how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the equine body. Commonly studied pharmacological agents in horses include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, sedatives, and anthelmintics. Research in equine pharmacology focuses on determining appropriate dosages, understanding drug interactions, and minimizing adverse effects. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that investigate the efficacy, safety, and regulatory aspects of pharmacological interventions in equine veterinary practice.
Effect of low-dose atropine administration on dobutamine dose requirement in horses anesthetized with detomidine and halothane. To determine whether a low dose of atropine is associated with decreased requirement for cardiovascular supportive treatment in horses given detomidine prior to maintenance of general anesthesia with halothane. Methods: 3 groups of 10 healthy horses. Methods: Detomidine (20 micrograms/kg of body weight, i.m.) was administered to all 30 horses. Then, 10 horses received atropine (0.006 mg/kg, i.v.) 1 hour after detomidine administration, 10 horses received atropine (0.012 mg/kg, i.m.) at the time of detomidine administration, and 10 horses served as a control group. Heart rate was measured prior...
Evaluation of platelet activation and platelet-neutrophil aggregates in ponies with alimentary laminitis. To determine whether platelets are hyperaggregable or form platelet-neutrophil aggregates during the prodromal stages of acute laminitis of ponies. Methods: Healthy adult ponies: 8 experimental and 6 control. Methods: Acute laminitis was induced by oral administration of corn starch and wood flour to 8 ponies, and indices of platelet activation were evaluated. Blood samples were collected before and at 4, 8, 12, 24, 28, and 32 hours after carbohydrate administration, and PCV, total plasma protein concentration, platelet count, activated clotting time, whole blood recalcification time, spontane...
Differences between longitudinal and circular smooth muscle in beta-adrenergic control of motility of isolated equine ileum. To identify beta-adrenoceptor subtypes involved in motility inhibition of circular and longitudinal smooth muscle layers of equine ileum. Methods: Isolated strips of equine ileum circular smooth muscle and membrane preparations from circular and longitudinal muscle layers. Methods: Functional assays of circular muscle preparations and radioligand binding assays and measurements of cAMP production in smooth muscle membranes from circular and longitudinal layers. Results: Selective beta-adrenergic agonists exerted inhibitory effects on circular muscle preparations. Binding studies of cell membra...
Clinical trial of moxidectin oral gel in horses. A clinical trial carried out over 98 days was done to evaluate treatment of horses with moxidectin gel for efficacy as measured by (1) reduction in the production of parasite ova post treatment, (2) a comparison of the posttreatment parasite egg count suppression of moxidectin to ivermectin, and (3) assessment of the field safety, animal acceptance of the moxidectin formulation, and the utility of the moxidectin delivery device. One hundred and fifty Standardbred horses with naturally acquired parasite infections were used in the study. Moxidectin had more prolonged and greater suppressive inf...
Quantitative comparison on the refinement of horse antivenom by salt fractionation and ion-exchange chromatography. A quantitative comparison was made on the fractionation of pepsin-digested horse antivenoms by ammonium sulfate (AS) fractional precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography on Q-Sepharose. In the precipitation process, pepsin digested horse anti-Naja kaouthia serum was precipitated by 30% saturated AS followed by 50% saturated AS. The recovery of antibody activity [as measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against the cobra postsynaptic neurotoxin 3] from the 30-50% saturated AS precipitate was 53% with a 1.93-fold purification. For the chromatographic process, the behavior ...
Inhaled medications and bronchodilator usage in the horse. The advantages of aerosol medications include the direct, topical application to the target organ (airways); rapid effect; and low systemic availability. There are now more efficient methods for aerosol delivery that facilitate the use of increasingly sophisticated aerosol drugs. This article reviews the principles of aerosol deposition and the pharmacology of current medications.
Immune therapy in respiratory disease. Pharmacologic manipulation of pulmonary immunity plays an important role in primary and adjunct therapy for equine respiratory disease. Frequent exposure to respiratory viral pathogens, strenuous exercise, long distance transport, and inhalation of harmful substances destroy various aspects of the pulmonary defense system and predispose performance horses to development of infectious and noninfectious respiratory disease. Pulmonary immunity may be bolstered by nonspecific immunostimulants to combat primary or secondary immunodeficiency. State of the art technology improves active and passive-s...
Effects of high-dose gentamicin sulfate on neuromuscular blockade in halothane-anesthetized horses. To evaluate effects of a single high dose of gentamicin on neuromuscular function in horses anesthetized with halothane. Methods: 6 healthy adult horses. Methods: Halothane-anesthetized horses were positioned in left lateral recumbency, and the right hind limb was immobilized in a reusable fiberglass cast fixed to a steel frame. The hoof was attached to a force transducer, and resting tension of 0.93 +/- 0.16 kg was maintained. A supramaximal train-of-four stimulus of 2 Hz for a duration of 0.25 millisecond was applied to the superficial peroneal nerve every 20 seconds by a square-wave stimula...
Effects of pentoxifylline infusion on response of horses to in vivo challenge exposure with endotoxin. To evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline on response of horses to in vivo challenge exposure with endotoxin. Methods: 24 healthy horses in 3 treatment groups: pentoxifylline, endotoxin, or endotoxin and pentoxifylline. Methods: Horses of the pentoxifylline group were given a bolus of pentoxifylline (7.5 mg/kg of body weight, i.v.), followed by an infusion (3 mg/kg/h) over 3 hours, and those of the endotoxin group were given 20 ng of endotoxin/kg i.v. over 30 minutes. Those of the combination group were given both of the aforementioned compounds; pentoxifylline was administered immediately afte...
Effect of pentoxifylline, flunixin meglumine, and their combination on a model of endotoxemia in horses. To compare effects of a single dose of pentoxifylline (PTX), flunixin meglumine (FM), and their combination (FM/PTX) in a model of equine endotoxemia. Methods: 24 healthy horses, aged 2 to 15 years. Methods: 4 groups (n = 6/group) received 30 ng of Escherichia coli O55:B5 endotoxin/kg of body weight, i.v., over 30 minutes, and 1 of the following preparations 15 minutes before and 8 hours after endotoxin infusion: FM, 1.1 mg/kg; PTX, 8 mg/kg; FM/PTX, 1.1 mg of FM and 8 mg of PTX/kg; and saline solution bolus (ENDO). Clinical and hematologic variables were measured over 24 hours. Results: Compar...
Immunoaffinity chromatography in the detection of dexamethasone in equine urine. Due to the widespread use of dexamethasone in racing horses, mostly in low doses by intra-articular administration for the treatment of inflammatory processes, a method is developed to detect this drug in horse urine samples using liquid-liquid extraction followed by immunoaffinity chromatography. Liquid chromatography with diode-array detection is used for the identification of the drug. The use of immunoaffinity columns enhances the selectivity of the analysis, and the results show that dexamethasone can be detected up to 28 h after intra-articular administration.
Development and characterization of an equine behaviour chamber and the effects of amitraz and detomidine on spontaneous locomotor activity. This report describes the development of a behaviour chamber and the validation of the chamber of measure locomotor activity of a horse. Locomotor activity was detected by four Mini-beam sensors and recorded on a data logger every 5 min for 22 h. Horses were more active during daytime than in the evening, which was at least partially related to human activity in their surroundings. To validate the ability of the chambers to detect changes in activity, fentanyl citrate and xylazine HCl, agents well-characterized as a stimulant and a depressant, respectively, were administered to five horses. Fe...
Effect of high volume epidural morphine, ketamine and butorphanol on halothane minimum alveolar concentration in ponies. This study determined the effects of epidurally administered morphine, ketamine and butorphanol on halothane minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) in ponies. Seven ponies were anaesthetised with thiopentone and succinylcholine, intubated and anaesthesia maintained with halothane. Ventilation was controlled and blood pressure was maintained within normal limits. Following the determination of baseline halothane MAC for the pelvic and thoracic limbs the ponies were given morphine (0.1 mg/kg bwt), ketamine (0.8 or 1.2 mg/kg bwt), butorphanol (0.05 mg/kg bwt) or saline, epidurally, to a final volum...
Effect of acepromazine and butorphanol on halothane minimum alveolar concentration in ponies. The effect of i.v. acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg bwt), butorphanol (0.05 mg/kg bwt) and a combination of acepromazine and butorphanol on halothane minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) was determined in 7 mixed-breed ponies. Ventilation was controlled, and blood pressure and temperature were maintained within normal limits. Following the determination of baseline MAC, treatments were administered to each pony in a random manner. The control treatment was normal saline. The baseline halothane dMAC for the control group was 0.91 +/- 0.04%, and no significant change occurred after saline administration...
Aerosol deposition in equine lungs following ultrasonic nebulisation versus jet aerosol delivery system. Therapeutic aerosols pay an increasing role in the treatment of equine respiratory disorders. This route of delivery permits concentration of significant amounts of drugs at the site of action without unwanted high systemic concentration and resultant side effects. The efficiency of such a topical therapy depends on the quantity of inhaled drugs deposited in the lungs and, for some drugs, on the proportion retained in specific parts of the lungs. The objective of this study was to define and to compare quantitative (dose deposited) and qualitative (regional distribution) deposition of an aeros...
Role of endothelium and nitric oxide in the in vitro response of equine colonic venous rings to vasoconstrictor agents. To determine in vitro contractile responses of equine colonic veins to various vasoconstrictor agents. Methods: Colonic veins collected from 8 adult horses. Methods: Veins were cut into 4-mm-wide rings, placed in organ baths at 37 C, and attached to a force-transducer interfaced with a polygraph; 2 g of tension was applied, and rings were allowed to equilibrate for 45 minutes. Bath solution was replaced, and tension was reapplied at 15-minute intervals. Cumulative concentration responses (10(-8) to 10(-4) M) were determined for each agent, using separate rings (n = 8). Three vein groups were e...
In vitro comparison of cytochrome P450-mediated metabolic activities in human, dog, cat, and horse. As domestic animals such as cat, horse, and dog increasingly become the clinical targets for drug discovery programs, the need to understand how these animals metabolize xenobiotics becomes more important. In the present study, substrates and inhibitors that were reported to be selective for particular P450 isozymes were used as probes to study in vitro metabolism in horse, dog, cat, and human liver microsomes. Seven selective catalytic activity markers for cytochrome P450-mediated reactions were measured: phenacetin O-deethylase (P4501A1/2), coumarin 7-hydroxylase (P4502A6), tolbutamide hydro...
Airway response of horses with COPD to dry powder inhalation of ipratropium bromide. To determine the effects of the dry powder inhalation (DPI) of ipratropium bromide (ipratropium) on the airways of health horses and the dose-response curve in horses suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by means of pulmonary function tests, five healthy horses were first studied. Ipratropium (2400 micrograms ipratropium horse-1) was contained in gelatine capsules and administered using a dry powder device connected to an adapted face mask. Pulmonary function tests were recorded before inhalation and 15 and 60 min after inhalation. No modification of pulmonary function w...
Effect of alpha-phenyl-tert-butylnitrone on endotoxin toxemia in horses. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or endotoxin, is a component of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria and is toxic to humans and animals. The GI tract of horses contains large numbers of endotoxins which may cause disease if gut wall integrity is compromised. The objective of this study was to develop a unique therapeutic approach to the treatment of endotoxemia with a sulfonyl analog of the alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butyl-nitrone (PBN) spin-trap molecule which may prevent the LPS-induced cytokine cascade. Following challenge with 55 mg/kg LPS, the survivability of ICR Swiss mice was significantly impro...
Persistent penile prolapse associated with acute blood loss and acepromazine maleate administration in a horse. Prolonged penile prolapse in horses has been reported in association with administration of phenothiazine tranquilizers, trauma, neuropathies, severe general debilitation or exhaustion, starvation, rabies, herpes myeloencephalitis, equine infectious anemia, and purpura hemorrhagica. A 5-year-old gelding was admitted for treatment of prolonged penile prolapse of 12 days' duration that developed after acepromazine maleate was administered to allow examination of a laceration that had resulted in severe blood loss. The horse was sedated, and the penis was replaced in the preputial cavity by use o...
Diseases and surgery of the cecum. The cecum is an important site of water and electrolyte absorption, as well as microbial digestion of soluble and insoluble carbohydrates. These functions of the cecum and ascending colon require that ingesta be mixed constantly and retained long enough to complete the digestion of cellulose. Parasites, changes in regional blood flow, diet, and various pharmacologic agents are associated with alterations in normal cecal motility patterns.
In vitro responses of equine small airways and lung parenchyma. In vitro responses of equine small peripheral airways (SA) and lung parenchyma (LP) were studied. We examined their contractile and relaxant responses and investigated effects of histamine, and endogenous prostanoids as these mediators may play a role in development or recurrent airway obstruction in horses (heaves). SA and LP electrical field stimulation (EFS) induced nearly maximal and partial frequency-dependent contractions, respectively. These contractions were virtually abolished in SA but only partially inhibited in LP by atropine (ATR) and tetrodotoxin (TTX). Methacholine (MCh) contrac...
Influence of melatonin and oestradiol on the opioidergic regulation of LH and prolactin release in pony mares. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of oestradiol, melatonin and season on the opioid regulation of LH and prolactin release. Effects of the opioid antagonist naloxone (0.5 mg/kg) on LH and prolactin secretion were determined in ovariectomized pony mares. In experiment 1, mares in January (n = 6) were pretreated with oestradiol benzoate (5 micrograms/kg) for 20 days. In experiment 2, beginning in May, mares (n = 7) received melatonin (15 mg) for 15 days and subsequently a combination of melatonin plus oestradiol for 20 days. In experiment 3, beginning in May, mares (n = 6) w...
Alpha-adrenoceptors in equine digital veins: evidence for the presence of both alpha1 and alpha2-receptors mediating vasoconstriction. Rings of equine digital vein examined under conditions of isometric tension recording constricted to alpha-adrenoceptor agonists with an order of potency of 5-bromo-6-[2-imidazolin-2-yl-amino]-quinoxaline bitartrate (UK 14304) = noradrenaline > 6-Allyl-2-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-thiazolo-(4,5-d) azepine (BHT-920) > phenylephrine > dopamine > methoxamine. The maximum force generated was greatest for the non-selective agonist noradrenaline and lowest for the alpha2-selective agonist BHT-920 with the other agonists between these two extremes. Selective inactivation of alpha1-adreno...
Effects of airway obstruction on transmural pulmonary artery pressure in exercising horses. To determine whether laryngeal hemiplegia would increase transmural pulmonary artery pressure (TPAP). Methods: 6 horses. Methods: Horses were studied under 5 conditions: control conditions, after induction of left laryngeal hemiplegia, during obstruction of the left nostril, after placement of an instrumented tracheostomy, and after placement of an open tracheostomy. Horses were evaluated after being given saline solution and after being given furosemide. Methods: Horses were exercised on a high speed treadmill, using a maximum speed of 13 m/s. During each exercise, airway pressures, airflow, ...
Effects of flunixin meglumine on short circuit current in equine colonic mucosa in vitro. To study the effect of flunixin meglumine on short circuit current (Isc) in equine right ventral colon in vitro. Methods: Intestinal mucosa from healthy horses and ponies. Methods: Isc was measured in mucosa from the right ventral colon mounted in Ussing chambers. In experiment 1, collection and incubation solutions were: control (no additions); flunixin meglumine, 4 micrograms/ml; indomethacin, 10(-6) M; and flunixin meglumine (4 micrograms/ml) with 10(-6) M prostaglandin E2. In experiment 2, incubation conditions were: control [plain Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate [KRB] solution]; flunixin meglumi...
Pharmacology of the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors BAY Y 1015 and BAY X 1005 in the horse. Calcium ionophore A23187 induced time and concentration dependent production of immunoreactive leukotriene (LT) B4 by equine heparinized whole blood in vitro. Time dependent production of immunoreactive LTB4 by equine neutrophils and immunoreactive LTC4 by equine eosinophils in vitro was also demonstrated. The 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) inhibitors, BAY X 1005 and BAY Y 1015, produced concentration dependent inhibition of ionophore-induced LTB4 synthesis by equine whole blood (mean +/- SEM IC50s n = 5; 6.14 +/- 0.28 microM vs. 12.30 +/- 0.75 microM for BAY Y 1015 and BAY X 1005, r...