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Equine veterinary journal2015; 48(4); 442-450; doi: 10.1111/evj.12442

A multicentre, prospective, randomised, blinded clinical trial to compare some perioperative effects of buprenorphine or butorphanol premedication before equine elective general anaesthesia and surgery.

Abstract: Buprenorphine, a μ-agonist opioid, has recently been licensed for equine use, but butorphanol, a κ-agonist opioid, is more commonly used in horses. The effect of the 2 opioids has not previously been compared in a large clinical study. Objective: To compare post operative analgesia and physiological variables in horses undergoing elective surgery following premedication with either buprenorphine or butorphanol in a conventional clinical setting. Methods: Multicentre, prospective, randomised, blinded clinical investigation. Methods: Eighty-nine healthy horses admitted for elective surgery to one of 6 UK equine veterinary clinics were premedicated with acepromazine, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and romifidine followed by intravenous (i.v.) buprenorphine or butorphanol. Anaesthesia was induced with diazepam/ketamine and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. A range of surgical procedures were performed and supplementary anaesthetic agents given as required. Physiological variables were monitored during anaesthesia and pain, ataxia, sedation and vital function were assessed post operatively. Data were analysed using t-tests, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U-test and Chi-squared test as appropriate and P<0.05 was regarded as significant, except for multiple comparisons, when P<0.01 was used. Results: Surgery was carried out successfully in all cases and no mortality or serious morbidity occurred. Physiological variables remained within normal limits and all horses recovered successfully, most standing within 1 h of ceasing anaesthesia. There were no significant differences between groups in any variable except post operative pain when scores (simple descriptive scale) between 3 and 6 h were significantly lower after buprenorphine than after butorphanol. Conclusions: Horses experienced less post operative pain after buprenorphine than after butorphanol premedication. Compared with butorphanol, buprenorphine did not cause any different effects on vital function.
© 2015 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Equine Veterinary Association.
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Publication Date: 2015-06-10 PubMed ID: 25772950PubMed Central: PMC5033022DOI: 10.1111/evj.12442Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

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.

The research investigates the effects of administering buprenorphine or butorphanol, two types of opioids, to horses before they undergo elective surgeries. The study found that horses given buprenorphine experienced less pain after surgery compared to those given butorphanol.

Objective and Methodology

  • The objective of the study was to compare the effects of administering buprenorphine, a μ-agonist opioid, and butorphanol, a κ-agonist opioid, as premedication to horses before they undergo elective surgeries. Specifically, the researchers were interested in comparing post-operative pain and physiological conditions in horses that were given either one of the two opioids.
  • The study employed a multicentre, prospective, randomised, and blind research design. It was conducted on 89 healthy horses due for elective surgery across six UK-based equine veterinary clinics.
  • The horses were given acepromazine, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and romifidine. Each horse then received either intravenous buprenorphine or butorphanol. To induce anaesthesia, diazepam/ketamine was used while maintenance was done using isoflurane in oxygen.
  • Various physiological variables were monitored while the horses were under anaesthesia. After the operation, assessments were done on pain, ataxia, and sedation levels, as well as vital function. The data collected was then analysed using different statistical tests.

Results and Conclusions

  • All surgical procedures were successfully done on the horses. There was no recorded mortality or serious morbidity throughout the duration of the study. Physiological variables remained within the normal range, and all of the horses recovered well, with most standing within an hour after anaesthesia cessation.
  • The only significant difference noted between the two groups was on the post-operative pain levels, with buprenorphine-premedicated horses experiencing significantly lower pain levels between 3 and 6 hours after surgery than the butorphanol-premedicated horses.
  • In the end, the study concluded that horses given buprenorphine before surgery experience less post-operative pain than those given butorphanol. No significant variances were noted on the effects of both opioids on vital function.

Cite This Article

APA
Taylor PM, Hoare HR, de Vries A, Love EJ, Coumbe KM, White KL, Murrell JC. (2015). A multicentre, prospective, randomised, blinded clinical trial to compare some perioperative effects of buprenorphine or butorphanol premedication before equine elective general anaesthesia and surgery. Equine Vet J, 48(4), 442-450. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12442

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 48
Issue: 4
Pages: 442-450

Researcher Affiliations

Taylor, P M
  • Taylor Monroe, Little Downham, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Hoare, H R
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Nottingham University, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK.
de Vries, A
  • Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
Love, E J
  • Equine First Opinion and Referral Clinic, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, UK.
Coumbe, K M
  • Bell Equine Clinic, Mereworth, Kent, UK.
White, K L
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Nottingham University, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, UK.
Murrell, J C
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Anesthesia, General / veterinary
  • Anesthetics, Inhalation
  • Animals
  • Buprenorphine / administration & dosage
  • Buprenorphine / pharmacology
  • Butorphanol / administration & dosage
  • Butorphanol / pharmacology
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Perioperative Period / veterinary
  • Premedication / veterinary
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
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    pubmed: 34975166
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