Comparative Evaluation of the Sedative and Analgesic Effects of Caudal Epidural Administration of Lidocaine Alone or in Combination With Xylazine, Detomidine, Medetomidine, and Dexmedetomidine in Mediterranean Miniature Donkeys.
Abstract: The present study aimed to compare the sedative and analgesic effects of caudal epidural administration of lidocaine alone or in combination with four different α-adrenergic agonists in Mediterranean miniature donkeys. A total of ten clinically healthy (five males and five females) Mediterranean miniature donkeys with an age of 5 ± 1 years, a weight of 100 ± 2 kg and a height at the withers of 0.8 ± 0.06 m (mean ± standard deviation) were used in experimental, crossover (Latin square), randomized, and blinded study. Animals were assigned to five treatment groups including lidocaine alone (0.22 mg kg), or associated with one among xylazine (0.17 mg kg), detomidine (30 μg kg), medetomidine (15 μg kg), dexmedetomidine (5 μg kg) with a minimum washout period of 8 days between treatments. The degree of sedation was investigated using a simple descriptive scale of 0-3. Sedation scores were compared at each time using nonparametric (Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U) tests. Analgesia was assessed by pinprick test. Sedation was greater in lidocaine and/or α-adrenergic agonist groups than in lidocaine group at 45-75 minutes after drug administration (P < .05). There were no significant differences among groups in time to onset of analgesia and ataxia and also in number of animals with complete perineal analgesia and ataxia. Duration of analgesia and ataxia were longer in lidocaine and/or α-adrenergic agonist groups than in lidocaine (P < .05). There were no significant differences among lidocaine and/or α-adrenergic agonist groups in sedation score and duration of analgesia and ataxia. No significant differences were observed in heart and respiratory rate and also rectal temperature at any time points between groups and within groups. Caudal epidural administration of α- adrenergic agonists associated with lidocaine resulted in sedative effects on Mediterranean miniature donkeys, while lidocaine alone did not induce sedation. These drugs associations should be considered when superior analgesia is advocated.
Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2022-02-22 PubMed ID: 35217147DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.103915Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study examines the sedative and analgesic effects of epidural injections of lidocaine, both alone or in combination with different α-adrenergic drugs, in miniature donkeys. The results show that lidocaine combined with α-adrenergics had stronger sedative effects, but similar onset times and duration, compared to lidocaine alone. No significant effects on heart and respiratory rates, or rectal temperatures, were observed.
Research Design
- The study involved ten healthy Mediterranean miniature donkeys, both male and female. The subjects were about five years old, 100 kilograms, and 0.8 meters tall.
- The trial was experimental, randomized, and blind, following a Latin square crossover design. This means each donkey received every treatment in a randomized order, with significant washout period between each treatment.
- Five treatment groups were tested – with each donkey receiving lidocaine on its own, or in combination with either xylazine, detomidine, medetomidine, or dexmedetomidine.
Measurement and Results
- Sedation levels were measured using a scale from 0 to 3, with larger scores indicating deeper levels of sedation.
- The level of analgesia (inability to feel pain) was assessed using a pinprick test.
- The results showed that the combination of lidocaine with any of the α-adrenergic agonists resulted in higher sedative effects compared to lidocaine alone, particularly 45-75 minutes after administration.
- There were no significant differences among the groups in terms of the onset of analgesia (time it took for the treatment to take effect), onset of ataxia (lack of muscle control), or the number of animals that experienced complete perineal analgesia (absence of sensation in the lower body) or ataxia.
- Duration of analgesia and ataxia were longer when lidocaine was combined with an α-adrenergic.
- No significant differences were observed in either heart rate, respiratory rate, or rectal temperature among the treatment groups or across different time points within the groups.
Study Implications
- This research suggests that combining α-adrenergics with lidocaine in epidural injections produces more effective sedation in miniature donkeys than lidocaine alone, without any significant impact on heart and respiratory rates or rectal temperatures.
- The study recommends these combined treatments when superior analgesia is needed for this species.
Cite This Article
APA
Samimi AS, Molaei MM, Azari O, Rezaei MA, Hashemian A.
(2022).
Comparative Evaluation of the Sedative and Analgesic Effects of Caudal Epidural Administration of Lidocaine Alone or in Combination With Xylazine, Detomidine, Medetomidine, and Dexmedetomidine in Mediterranean Miniature Donkeys.
J Equine Vet Sci, 113, 103915.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.103915 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran. Electronic address: Samimi@uk.ac.ir.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
MeSH Terms
- Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists
- Analgesics
- Animals
- Ataxia / veterinary
- Dexmedetomidine / pharmacology
- Equidae
- Female
- Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology
- Imidazoles
- Lidocaine / pharmacology
- Male
- Medetomidine / pharmacology
- Pain / veterinary
- Xylazine / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- De Santis M, Seganfreddo S, Greco A, Normando S, Benedetti D, Mutinelli F, Contalbrigo L. Donkey Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability: A Scoping Review. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 25;13(3).
- Sobhy A, Nomir AG, Hamed MA, Abumandour MMA, El-Kammar M. Efficacy of caudal epidural injection of Xylazine-Lidocaine HCl and detomidine-lidocaine HCl in domestic horses (Equus ferus caballus). BMC Vet Res 2025 May 28;21(1):385.
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