Clinical evaluation of romifidine/ketamine/halothane anaesthesia in horses.
Abstract: Romifidine, 100 micrograms/kg administered by intravenous injection, was evaluated as a premedicant to ketamine/halothane anaesthesia in 60 horses. Sedation developed within one to two minutes. In three cases mild staggering occurred within two minutes. Anaesthesia was induced after five minutes by the intravenous administration of ketamine (2 to 2.2 mg/kg). A mean time of 79 seconds elapsed before lateral recumbency was adopted. Fifty-four of the horses sank smoothly to the floor, with occasional steps sideways. Jaw tone, limb rigidity and mild muscle tremors often persisted for short periods after induction. Complete relaxation was achieved on average two minutes after the administration of ketamine. The transition to oxygen/halothane anaesthesia was excellent or good in 53 cases. The mean duration of anaesthesia was 79 minutes. Forty-seven of the horses were able to stand after one or two attempts with little or no ataxia. After halothane administration ceased, the mean time to sternal recumbency was 25 minutes and the mean time to standing was 33 minutes. Most horses appeared to be sedated upon standing, but they were able to walk soon after regaining their feet. The characteristics of the induction of anaesthesia were similar to those seen when detomidine/ketamine or xylazine/ketamine are used. The maintenance of anaesthesia with halothane was similar to that following other induction protocols, and the recovery from anaesthesia was smooth and free from excitement.
Publication Date: 1993-06-05 PubMed ID: 8337799DOI: 10.1136/vr.132.23.572Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The article reports the study results of using romifidine as premedicant to ketamine/halothane anaesthesia on 60 horses. The results show that the method was generally successful, and the recovery from anaesthesia was smooth and uneventful.
Objective of the Research
- The main purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and side effects of romifidine used as a premedicant to ketamine/halothane anaesthesia in horses. Romifidine was administered intravenously at a dosage of 100 micrograms/kg before actual anaesthesia.
Experimental Procedure
- Romifidine was injected and sedation developed within one to two minutes. In three horses, mild staggering was observed.
- Anaesthesia was induced after five minutes using an intravenous administration of ketamine (2 to 2.2 mg/kg). It took around 79 seconds on average before the horses laid down.
- The authors observed jaw tone, limb rigidity and mild muscle tremors in the horses for short periods after the induction of the anaesthesia, indicating incomplete relaxation.
- Within around two minutes of ketamine administration, the horses achieved complete relaxation.
- The remaining part of the experiment involved transitioning the horses to oxygen/halothane anaesthesia.
Findings
- In 53 out of 60 horses, the transition from being awake to the state of anaesthesia was excellent or good.
- The average duration of anaesthesia was 79 minutes.
- Most horses were able to stand up after one or two attempts with little or no uncoordination (ataxia).
- On average, the horses laid on their chest (sternal recumbency) 25 minutes after cessation of halothane and were able to stand on their feet after 33 minutes.
- Upon standing, most horses appeared to be sedated but were able to walk shortly after regaining their feet.
Comparative Analysis
- The researchers observed that the induction of anaesthesia using romifidine/ketamine was similar to using detomidine/ketamine or xylazine/ketamine.
- The maintenance of anaesthesia with halothane was consistent with other protocols, and the recovery was smooth and free of excitement.
Cite This Article
APA
Diamond MJ, Young LE, Bartram DH, Gregg AS, Clutton RE, Long KJ, Jones RS.
(1993).
Clinical evaluation of romifidine/ketamine/halothane anaesthesia in horses.
Vet Rec, 132(23), 572-575.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.132.23.572 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
MeSH Terms
- Anesthesia / methods
- Anesthesia / veterinary
- Anesthesia Recovery Period
- Anesthetics
- Animals
- Blood Pressure
- Evaluation Studies as Topic
- Female
- Halothane
- Horses / physiology
- Imidazoles
- Ketamine
- Male
Citations
This article has been cited 3 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).
- 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.
- Kerr CL, McDonell WN, Young SS. A comparison of romifidine and xylazine when used with diazepam/ketamine for short duration anesthesia in the horse.. Can Vet J 1996 Oct;37(10):601-9.
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