Colorectal distention in the horse: visceral sensitivity, rectal compliance and effect of i.v. xylazine or intrarectal lidocaine.
Abstract: Most current models of visceral sensitivity testing in the horse have required visceral cannulation. Colorectal distention (CRD) is a widely used, noninvasive method for testing in other species and could be adapted for use in horses. Objective: To develop a protocol of controlled CRD in the conscious horse and to evaluate the effect of i.v. xylazine or intrarectal lidocaine on CRD threshold and rectal compliance. Methods: Eight horses were used for baseline studies (3 trials each) and 6 horses to evaluate treatments (4 trials, 2 per treatment). A 45 cm diameter polyvinyl balloon attached to plastic tubing was used for rectal distention following a stepwise barostat-controlled inflation pattern. Results: The procedure was well tolerated by all horses. Mean baseline threshold pressure was 14.17 mmHg. Xylazine i.v. resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) higher mean threshold pressures compared to baseline or rectal lidocaine. Rectal compliance increased following lidocaine treatment relative to baseline or xylazine. Conclusions: CRD offers a noninvasive method for visceral sensitivity testing in the horse. Xylazine raises CRD threshold, while lidocaine increases rectal compliance. Conclusions: The increased rectal compliance following intrarectal lidocaine administration may explain the benefit of its use to facilitate rectal examination.
Publication Date: 2005-01-18 PubMed ID: 15651738DOI: 10.2746/0425164054406955Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article primarily focuses on developing and evaluating a non-invasive method known as colorectal distention (CRD) for testing visceral sensitivity in horses. The study also examines how substances like xylazine administered intravenously and lidocaine applied intrarectally impact the CRD threshold and rectal compliance.
Research Methodology
- The study included a total of 14 horses. Eight were used for baseline studies with each undergoing three trials, and the remaining six were utilized to assess the treatments – with four trials conducted per treatment.
- Rectal distention was caused by a 45 cm diameter polyvinyl balloon attached to plastic tubing, which followed a measured step-by-step inflation pattern controlled by a barostat.
- The effects of intravenous xylazine and intrarectal lidocaine on the CRD threshold and rectal compliance were evaluated.
Findings of the Study
- All the horses tolerated the CRD procedure well.
- The average baseline threshold pressure was 14.17 mmHg.
- Injecting xylazine intravenously resulted in significantly higher mean threshold pressures than the baseline or after application of rectal lidocaine.
- However, rectal compliance, or the capacity to stretch and accommodate, increased after lidocaine treatment as compared to the baseline or xylazine.
Conclusions and Potential Applications
- The study concluded that Colorectal distention provides an effective non-invasive method for testing visceral sensitivity in horses. It further suggested that xylazine raises the CRD threshold while lidocaine enhances rectal compliance.
- The improved rectal compliance as a result of administering lidocaine intrarectally could potentially elucidate its benefits in facilitating rectal examinations in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Sanchez LC, Merritt AM.
(2005).
Colorectal distention in the horse: visceral sensitivity, rectal compliance and effect of i.v. xylazine or intrarectal lidocaine.
Equine Vet J, 37(1), 70-74.
https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164054406955 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Island Whirl Equine Colic Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Box 100136, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0136, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Administration, Rectal
- Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / administration & dosage
- Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / pharmacology
- Anesthetics, Local / administration & dosage
- Anesthetics, Local / pharmacology
- Animals
- Catheterization / veterinary
- Colon / drug effects
- Colon / physiology
- Compliance / drug effects
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Injections, Intravenous / veterinary
- Lidocaine / administration & dosage
- Lidocaine / pharmacology
- Male
- Pressure
- Rectum / drug effects
- Rectum / physiology
- Xylazine / administration & dosage
- Xylazine / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Camilleri M, Linden DR. Measurement of Gastrointestinal and Colonic Motor Functions in Humans and Animals. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016 Jul;2(4):412-428.
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