FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / A comparison of romifidine and xylazine when used with diaze...
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne1996; 37(10); 601-609;

A comparison of romifidine and xylazine when used with diazepam/ketamine for short duration anesthesia in the horse.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate sedation with intravenous xylazine (1.1 mg/kg bodyweight [BW]) versus intravenous romifidine (100 micrograms/kg BW) followed by induction of anesthesia with intravenous diazepam (0.04 mg/kg BW) and ketamine (2.2 mg/kg BW). Twelve healthy horses were used in a blinded, randomized, cross-over design. Heart rate, presence of 2nd degree atrioventricular heart blocks (2 degrees AVB), respiratory rate, arterial blood pressures, blood gases, packed cell volume, total serum proteins, and duration of anesthesia and recumbency were recorded. Induction and recovery quality was evaluated using a 0 to 4 score. Response to stimulation with noise, pressure, and cutaneous electrical stimulation was assessed at 5 minute intervals during recumbency to evaluate the depth of anesthesia. Heart rate was lower and 2 degrees AVB more frequent in the romifidine group, while blood pressure was lower in the xylazine group. Duration of anesthesia was longer in the romifidine group (mean 20.8, s mean 2.3 min) versus the xylazine group (mean 15.8, s mean 1.6 min), while induction and recovery were excellent in both groups. Respiratory rates, blood gas values, packed cell volumes, and total protein levels did not differ between groups. The results indicate that romifidine premedication followed by diazepam and ketamine is a very satisfactory regime for short duration intravenous anesthesia in horses.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 1996-10-01 PubMed ID: 8896874PubMed Central: PMC1576482
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • 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 study is about comparing the efficacy and effects of two sedatives, romifidine and xylazine, when used with other anesthetic agents in horses. The researchers wanted to understand which sedative provides better outcomes in terms of heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, depth of anesthesia, and recovery time.

Study Overview

  • The researchers conducted their study with 12 healthy horses which are sedated using intravenous xylazine and romifidine. The treatments were given in a randomized order and the trial was blinded, meaning no one involved in the study knew which drug was given at what time. This helps to reduce bias in evaluating the effects of the drugs.
  • They evaluated a number of parameters including heart rate, presence of 2nd degree atrioventricular heart blocks (a type of abnormal heart rhythm), respiratory rate, arterial blood pressures, blood gases (amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide), packed cell volume (proportion of blood that is made up of cells), and total serum proteins (total amount of proteins in the blood). They also recorded the duration of anesthesia and recumbency (time period for which the horse was laying down).

Results and Findings

  • Findings showed that sedation with romifidine lead to lower heart rates and more frequent 2nd degree atrioventricular heart blocks compared to xylazine. Also, blood pressure was found to be lower in the group sedated with xylazine.
  • The duration of anesthesia was longer for horses that received romifidine (on average, 20.8 minutes) compared to those that received xylazine (average of 15.8 minutes).
  • The quality of induction (starting anesthesia) and recovery were found to be excellent for both groups. There was no noticeable difference in respiratory rates, blood gas values, packed cell volume, and total protein levels between the two groups.
  • The horses’ responses to various stimulations were evaluated during their recumbency to check the depth of anesthesia.

Conclusion

  • The findings from this study suggest that using romifidine for premedication followed by diazepam and ketamine is a satisfactory regime for short duration intravenous anesthesia in horses. The researchers conclude this based on the longer duration of anesthesia seen with romifidine and the similar quality of induction and recovery noted with both sedatives.

Cite This Article

APA
Kerr CL, McDonell WN, Young SS. (1996). A comparison of romifidine and xylazine when used with diazepam/ketamine for short duration anesthesia in the horse. Can Vet J, 37(10), 601-609.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 37
Issue: 10
Pages: 601-609

Researcher Affiliations

Kerr, C L
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph.
McDonell, W N
    Young, S S

      MeSH Terms

      • Adjuvants, Anesthesia / administration & dosage
      • Adjuvants, Anesthesia / pharmacology
      • Anesthesia / methods
      • Anesthesia / veterinary
      • Anesthetics / administration & dosage
      • Anesthetics / pharmacology
      • Anesthetics, Dissociative / administration & dosage
      • Anesthetics, Dissociative / pharmacology
      • Animals
      • Blood Gas Analysis
      • Blood Pressure / drug effects
      • Blood Pressure / physiology
      • Blood Proteins / analysis
      • Cross-Over Studies
      • Diazepam / administration & dosage
      • Diazepam / pharmacology
      • Double-Blind Method
      • Drug Combinations
      • Female
      • Heart Rate / drug effects
      • Heart Rate / physiology
      • Horses / blood
      • Horses / physiology
      • Imidazoles / administration & dosage
      • Imidazoles / pharmacology
      • Injections, Intravenous
      • Ketamine / administration & dosage
      • Ketamine / pharmacology
      • Male
      • Time Factors
      • Xylazine / administration & dosage
      • Xylazine / pharmacology

      References

      This article includes 31 references
      1. Clarke KW, Taylor PM, Watkins SB. Detomidine/ketamine anaesthesia in the horse.. Acta Vet Scand Suppl 1986;82:167-79.
        pubmed: 3464177
      2. Szeligowski E, Janicki AM, Krzeski M. Detomidine (Domosedan) in sedation, premedication and general anaesthesia of horses.. Acta Vet Scand Suppl 1986;82:181-5.
        pubmed: 3464178
      3. England GC, Clarke KW, Goossens L. A comparison of the sedative effects of three alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists (romifidine, detomidine and xylazine) in the horse.. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 1992 Jun;15(2):194-201.
        pubmed: 1359161doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.1992.tb01007.xgoogle scholar: lookup
      4. Wagner AE, Muir WW 3rd, Hinchcliff KW. Cardiovascular effects of xylazine and detomidine in horses.. Am J Vet Res 1991 May;52(5):651-7.
        pubmed: 1854087
      5. Thurmon JC, Benson GJ. Injectable anesthetics and anesthetic adjuncts.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1987 Apr;3(1):15-36.
        pubmed: 3555725doi: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30689-2google scholar: lookup
      6. Waterman AE, Robertson SA, Lane JG. Pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered ketamine in the horse.. Res Vet Sci 1987 Mar;42(2):162-6.
        pubmed: 3589163
      7. Watkins SB, Watney GC, Hall LW, Houlton JE. A clinical trial of three anaesthetic regimens for the castration of ponies.. Vet Rec 1987 Mar 21;120(12):274-6.
        pubmed: 3590553doi: 10.1136/vr.120.12.274google scholar: lookup
      8. Hubbell JA, Bednarski RM, Muir WW. Xylazine and tiletamine-zolazepam anesthesia in horses.. Am J Vet Res 1989 May;50(5):737-42.
        pubmed: 2729719
      9. Sarazan RD, Starke WA, Krause GF, Garner HE. Cardiovascular effects of detomidine, a new alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, in the conscious pony.. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 1989 Dec;12(4):378-88.
        pubmed: 2575673doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.1989.tb00688.xgoogle scholar: lookup
      10. Gasthuys F, De Moor A, Parmentier D. Haemodynamic changes during sedation in ponies.. Vet Res Commun 1990;14(4):309-27.
        pubmed: 2392824doi: 10.1007/BF00350713google scholar: lookup
      11. Brock N, Hildebrand SV. A comparison of xylazine-diazepam-ketamine and xylazine-guaifenesin-ketamine in equine anesthesia.. Vet Surg 1990 Nov-Dec;19(6):468-74.
        pubmed: 2124750doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.1990.tb01237.xgoogle scholar: lookup
      12. Young SS. Cardiorespiratory responses to electrical stimulation of the buccal mucosa in ponies.. Res Vet Sci 1990 Nov;49(3):268-74.
        pubmed: 2267414
      13. Matthews NS, Dollars NS, Young DB, Shawley RV. Prolongation of xylazine/ketamine induced recumbency time with temazepam in horses.. Equine Vet J 1991 Jan;23(1):8-10.
        pubmed: 1901788doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1991.tb02704.xgoogle scholar: lookup
      14. Lin HC, Branson KR, Thurmon JC, Benson GJ, Tranquilli WJ, Olson WA, Vähä-Vahe AT. Ketamine, Telazol, xylazine and detomidine. A comparative anesthetic drug combinations study in ponies.. Acta Vet Scand 1992;33(2):109-15.
        pubmed: 1502994doi: 10.1186/BF03547317google scholar: lookup
      15. Matthews NS, Hartsfield SM, Cornick JL, Williams JD, Beasley A. A comparison of injectable anesthetic combinations in horses.. Vet Surg 1991 Jul-Aug;20(4):268-73.
        pubmed: 1949566doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.1991.tb01262.xgoogle scholar: lookup
      16. Wan PY, Trim CM, Mueller PO. Xylazine-ketamine and detomidine-tiletamine-zolazepam anesthesia in horses.. Vet Surg 1992 Jul-Aug;21(4):312-8.
        pubmed: 1455641doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.1992.tb00072.xgoogle scholar: lookup
      17. Diamond MJ, Young LE, Bartram DH, Gregg AS, Clutton RE, Long KJ, Jones RS. Clinical evaluation of romifidine/ketamine/halothane anaesthesia in horses.. Vet Rec 1993 Jun 5;132(23):572-5.
        pubmed: 8337799doi: 10.1136/vr.132.23.572google scholar: lookup
      18. Hall LW, Gillespie JR, Tyler WS. Alveolar-arterial oxygen tension differences in anaesthetized horses.. Br J Anaesth 1968 Aug;40(8):560-8.
        pubmed: 4875426doi: 10.1093/bja/40.8.560google scholar: lookup
      19. Clarke KW, Hall LW. "Xylazine"--a new sedative for horses and cattle.. Vet Rec 1969 Nov 8;85(19):512-7.
        pubmed: 5349241doi: 10.1136/vr.85.19.512google scholar: lookup
      20. Garner HE, Amend JF, Rosborough JP. Effects on Bay Va 1470 on cardiovascular parameters in ponies.. Vet Med Small Anim Clin 1971 Oct;66(10):1016-7 passim.
        pubmed: 4938478
      21. Kerr DD, Jones EW, Huggins K, Edwards WC. Sedative and other effects of xylazine given intravenously to horses.. Am J Vet Res 1972 Mar;33(3):525-32.
        pubmed: 5014460
      22. McCashin FB, Gabel AA. Evaluation of xylazine as a sedative and preanesthetic agent in horses.. Am J Vet Res 1975 Oct;36(10):1421-9.
        pubmed: 1190582
      23. Muir WW, Skarda RT, Milne DW. Evaluation of xylazine and ketamine hydrochloride for anesthesia in horses.. Am J Vet Res 1977 Feb;38(2):195-201.
        pubmed: 842917
      24. Butera TS, Moore JN, Garner HE, Amend JF, Clarke LL, Hatfield DG. Diazepam/xylazine/ketamine combination for short-term anesthesia in the horse.. Vet Med Small Anim Clin 1978 Apr;73(4):490,495-6,499.
        pubmed: 249147
      25. Muir WW, Skarda RT, Sheehan W. Evaluation of xylazine, guaifenesin, and ketamine hydrochloride for restraint in horses.. Am J Vet Res 1978 Aug;39(8):1274-8.
        pubmed: 697134
      26. Brouwer GJ, Hall LW, Kuchel TR. Intravenous anaesthesia in horses after xylazine premedication.. Vet Rec 1980 Sep 13;107(11):241-5.
        pubmed: 7257099doi: 10.1136/vr.107.11.241google scholar: lookup
      27. Hall LW, Taylor PM. Clinical trial of xylazine with ketamine in equine anaesthesia.. Vet Rec 1981 Jun 6;108(23):489-93.
        pubmed: 7029871doi: 10.1136/vr.108.23.489google scholar: lookup
      28. Schatzmann U, Koehli M, Dudan F, Rohr W, Jones RS. Effect of postural changes on certain circulatory and respiratory values in the horse.. Am J Vet Res 1982 Jun;43(6):1003-5.
        pubmed: 6808866
      29. Muir WW, Sams RA, Huffman RH, Noonan JS. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of diazepam in horses.. Am J Vet Res 1982 Oct;43(10):1756-62.
        pubmed: 7149375
      30. Fisher RJ. A field trial of ketamine anaesthesia in the horse.. Equine Vet J 1984 May;16(3):176-9.
        pubmed: 6734582doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1984.tb01895.xgoogle scholar: lookup
      31. Short CE, Matthews N, Harvey R, Tyner CL. Cardiovascular and pulmonary function studies of a new sedative/analgetic (detomidine/Domosedan) for use alone in horses or as a preanesthetic.. Acta Vet Scand Suppl 1986;82:139-55.
        pubmed: 3464175

      Citations

      This article has been cited 11 times.
      1. Wise IK, Klöppel H, Leece EA. Comparison of two doses of ketamine for induction of anaesthesia in ponies undergoing field castration. Open Vet J 2021 Oct-Dec;11(4):747-754.
        doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2021.v11.i4.27pubmed: 35070872google scholar: lookup
      2. Nannarone S, Giannettoni G, Laurenza C, Giontella A, Moretti G. Methadone or Butorphanol as Pre-Anaesthetic Agents Combined with Romifidine in Horses Undergoing Elective Surgery: Qualitative Assessment of Sedation and Induction. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 31;11(9).
        doi: 10.3390/ani11092572pubmed: 34573538google scholar: lookup
      3. Straticò P, Carluccio A, Varasano V, Guerri G, Suriano R, Robbe D, Cerasoli I, Petrizzi L. Analgesic Effect of Butorphanol during Castration in Donkeys under Total Intravenous Anaesthesia. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 9;11(8).
        doi: 10.3390/ani11082346pubmed: 34438803google scholar: lookup
      4. Gozalo-Marcilla M, Ringer SK. Recovery after General Anaesthesia in Adult Horses: A Structured Summary of the Literature. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jun 14;11(6).
        doi: 10.3390/ani11061777pubmed: 34198637google scholar: lookup
      5. Aarnes TK, Lerche P, Bednarski RM, Hubbell JAE. Total intravenous anesthesia using a midazolam-ketamine-xylazine infusion in horses: 46 cases (2011-2014). Can Vet J 2018 May;59(5):500-504.
        pubmed: 29904202
      6. Casoni D, Spadavecchia C, Wampfler B, Thormann W, Levionnois OL. Clinical and pharmacokinetic evaluation of S-ketamine for intravenous general anaesthesia in horses undergoing field castration. Acta Vet Scand 2015 May 3;57(1):21.
        doi: 10.1186/s13028-015-0112-4pubmed: 25935721google scholar: lookup
      7. Bauquier SH, Kona-Boun JJ. [Comparison of the effects of xylazine and romifidine administered perioperatively on the recovery of anesthetized horses]. Can Vet J 2011 Sep;52(9):987-93.
        pubmed: 22379199
      8. Thakur BP, Sharma SK, Sharma A, Kumar A. Clinical Evaluation of Xylazine-Butorphanol-Guaifenesin-Ketamine as Short-Term TIVA in Equines. Vet Med Int 2011;2011:506831.
        doi: 10.4061/2011/506831pubmed: 21647339google scholar: lookup
      9. Kerr CL, McDonell WN, Young SS. Cardiopulmonary effects of romifidine/ketamine or xylazine/ketamine when used for short duration anesthesia in the horse. Can J Vet Res 2004 Oct;68(4):274-82.
        pubmed: 15581222
      10. Lambertini C, Boanini E, Casalini I, Spaccini F, Rinnovati R, Romagnoli N. Comparison of Ketamine/Diazepam and Tiletamine/Zolazepam Combinations for Anaesthesia Induction in Horses Undergoing Partial Intravenous Anaesthesia (PIVA): A Retrospective Clinical Study. Vet Sci 2024 Nov 30;11(12).
        doi: 10.3390/vetsci11120612pubmed: 39728952google scholar: lookup
      11. Helal IE, Al-Abbadi HA, Hashem MA, Abdelrazek HMA, Shekidef MH, Ahmed MF. Analgesic Effect of Dexmedetomidine-Nalbuphine Combination vs. Dexmedetomidine Alone in Donkeys Undergoing Field Castration under Total Intravenous Anesthesia. Animals (Basel) 2024 Aug 23;14(17).
        doi: 10.3390/ani14172452pubmed: 39272237google scholar: lookup
      Subscribe to our newsletter
      Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.