Alfaxalone and medetomidine intravenous infusion to maintain anaesthesia in colts undergoing field castration.
Abstract: The use of alfaxalone and medetomidine administered as an i.v. infusion to maintain anaesthesia has not previously been reported in the horse. Objective: To investigate the use of alfaxalone in hydroxpropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (Alfaxan) and medetomidine infusion as a field anaesthetic for short-term surgical procedures in the horse. Objective: Alfaxalone-medetomidine anaesthesia is suitable for short-term field anaesthesia in horses. Methods: Eleven healthy colts underwent 45 min of anaesthesia with an i.v. infusion of alfaxalone (2 mg/kg bwt/h) and medetomidine (5 μg/kg bwt/h) for routine field castration. Horses were premedicated with i.v. acepromazine (0.03 mg/kg bwt), medetomidine (7 μg/kg bwt) and guaiphenesin (35 mg/kg bwt) before i.v. induction with alfaxalone (1 mg/kg bwt). Colts were intubated with an endotracheal tube and 100% oxygen insufflated at 10 l/min. The physiological variables monitored included pulse rate, respiratory rate, direct arterial blood pressure, arterial blood gases and the quality of the inductions and recoveries were scored. Results: Overall, the anaesthetic period and surgical conditions were acceptable and the quality of the anaesthetic inductions and recoveries was good to excellent. All colts stood on their first attempt (mean ± s.d.) 37 ± 13.5 min after the infusion was stopped. During anaesthesia, cardiopulmonary data, presented as range of mean values at each time point were: heart rate: 45-47 beats/min; mean blood pressure: 104-112 mmHg; respiratory rate: 8 breaths/min; PaO2 : 117-172 mmHg; PaCO2 : 50-56 mmHg and pH 7.34-7.37. Conclusions: The co-administration of alfaxalone and medetomidine as an i.v. infusion after anaesthetic induction with alfaxalone was suitable for short-term field anaesthesia in the horse.
© 2012 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2012-09-25 PubMed ID: 23004224DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00645.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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.
- Journal Article
- 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 research investigates the use of alfaxalone and medetomidine as an intravenous anaesthetic solution for horses undergoing short-term surgical procedures, such as field castration.
Objectives of the Study
The main goal of the study was:
- To test the effectiveness and safety of using a combination of alfaxalone and medetomidine, medications used for sedation, as an intravenous (i.v.) anaesthetic for short-term surgical procedures in horses.
Methods Used
The researchers employed the following methods:
- They used eleven healthy colts as subjects for the study which underwent routine field castration, a short-term surgical procedure.
- These colts were anaesthetized with an i.v. infusion of alfaxalone and medetomidine for 45 minutes.
- Before the infusion, the horses were pre-medicated with i.v. acepromazine, medetomidine, and guaiphenesin.
- Post-induction, the colts were intubated with an endotracheal tube to ensure airway patency and oxygen was delivered at a rate of 10 liters per minute.
- The researchers monitored the physiological variables during this period, including pulse rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood pressure, arterial blood gases, and the quality of induction and recovery.
Results of the Study
Here are the major findings from the research:
- The combined use of alfaxalone and medetomidine rendered acceptable surgical conditions, with the quality of anaesthetic induction and recovery being rated as good to excellent.
- Following cessation of the infusion, all colts were able to stand after an average time of 37 minutes.
- Measurements of physiological variables indicated that the use of these medications did not adversely affect the heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, or arterial blood gases of the horses.
Conclusion
The key conclusion from the research was:
- The combined administration of alfaxalone and medetomidine following anaesthetic induction with alfaxalone appears to be a suitable and safe method for providing short-term field anaesthesia in horses,
based on this trial.
Cite This Article
APA
Goodwin WA, Keates HL, Pearson M, Pasloske K.
(2012).
Alfaxalone and medetomidine intravenous infusion to maintain anaesthesia in colts undergoing field castration.
Equine Vet J, 45(3), 315-319.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00645.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia. w.goodwin@uq.edu.au
MeSH Terms
- Administration, Intravenous / veterinary
- Anesthesia, Intravenous / methods
- Anesthesia, Intravenous / veterinary
- Anesthetics / administration & dosage
- Anesthetics / pharmacology
- Animals
- Drug Therapy, Combination / veterinary
- Horses / physiology
- Horses / surgery
- Male
- Medetomidine / administration & dosage
- Medetomidine / pharmacology
- Orchiectomy / veterinary
- Pregnanediones / administration & dosage
- Pregnanediones / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- 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).
- Tokushige H, Kushiro A, Okano A, Maeda T, Ito H, Wakuno A, Nagata SI, Ohta M. Clinical evaluation of constant rate infusion of alfaxalone-medetomidine combined with sevoflurane anesthesia in Thoroughbred racehorses undergoing arthroscopic surgery. Acta Vet Scand 2018 Sep 4;60(1):50.
- Aoki M, Wakuno A, Kushiro A, Mae N, Kakizaki M, Nagata SI, Ohta M. Evaluation of total intravenous anesthesia with propofol-guaifenesin-medetomidine and alfaxalone-guaifenesin-medetomidine in Thoroughbred horses undergoing castration. J Vet Med Sci 2017 Dec 22;79(12):2011-2018.
- Wakuno A, Maeda T, Kodaira K, Kikuchi T, Ohta M. Anesthetic management with sevoflurane combined with alfaxalone-medetomidine constant rate infusion in a Thoroughbred racehorse undergoing a long-time orthopedic surgery. J Equine Sci 2017;28(3):111-115.
- Ohmura H, Okano A, Mukai K, Fukuda K, Takahashi T. Cardiorespiratory and anesthetic effects of combined alfaxalone, butorphanol, and medetomidine in Thoroughbred horses. J Equine Sci 2016;27(1):7-11.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
