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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.
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Publication Date: 1996-10-01 PubMed ID: 8896874PubMed Central: PMC1576482
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  • 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

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      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.
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      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.
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      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
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      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
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