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Open veterinary journal2021; 11(4); 747-754; doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2021.v11.i4.27

Comparison of two doses of ketamine for induction of anaesthesia in ponies undergoing field castration.

Abstract: Ketamine-based total intravenous anaesthesia techniques are commonly used in equine practice for ponies requiring short procedures such as castration in field conditions. When a longer duration of recumbency than provided by the initial dose of anaesthetic agents is required, administration of supplementary 'top-up' doses of anaesthetic agents is required. Ideally, a single dose of anaesthetic agents would reliably achieve a longer duration of action whilst maintaining adequate anaesthetic, surgical and recovery qualities. Objective: This prospective, randomised and blinded study aimed to compare the UK-licensed induction dose of ketamine with an increased dose in ponies undergoing castration in field conditions. The hypothesis was that an increased dose would produce a longer duration of action without negatively affecting qualities of anaesthesia, surgical conditions and recovery. Methods: Ponies were randomly allocated to receive ketamine at either 2.2 mg kg-1 (K2.2) or 3 mg kg-1 (K3) combined with diazepam 20 μg kg-1 following pre-anaesthetic medication with romifidine and butorphanol. Quality of anaesthesia, surgery and recovery were scored using simple descriptive scales (SDS) and timings of key events recorded. Top-up doses of ketamine 0.5 mg kg-1 were administered if anaesthesia was inadequate during surgery. Time of top-up doses and total ketamine doses were recorded. Data were analysed using Student t-tests or the Mann-Whitney U test (p < 0.05). Results: Thirty-six ponies completed the study. Six ponies enrolled were excluded due to cryptorchidism or surgical complications that required deviation from the anaesthetic protocol. There were no differences in timing of events recorded, number of ponies requiring top-up ketamine, timing and frequency of top-ups or total ketamine dose. Scores for anaesthetic and recovery qualities, and surgical conditions were similar between groups. Conclusions: Both induction doses of ketamine provided a similar duration of action and provided conditions suitable to anaesthetise ponies undergoing castration.
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Publication Date: 2021-12-23 PubMed ID: 35070872PubMed Central: PMC8770169DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2021.v11.i4.27Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Veterinary

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 aims to compare different amounts of ketamine, an anesthetic often used for equines, to see if a larger dose would maintain effective anesthesia over a longer period without negatively affecting the quality of the anesthesia, surgical conditions, and recovery. The study found that both the standard and increased dose of ketamine provided comparable conditions for ponies undergoing castration.

Study Design and Method

  • The study is a prospective, randomized, and blinded experiment involving ponies that require castration in field conditions.
  • The ponies were randomly given either the UK-licensed induction dose of ketamine (2.2 mg kg) or an increased dose (3 mg kg), along with diazepam, after being pre-medicated with romifidine and butorphanol.
  • The quality of the anesthesia, surgery, and recovery were evaluated using simple descriptive scales (SDS). Also, the timings of key events were recorded.
  • Additional ‘top-up’ doses of ketamine were given if the anesthesia was found lacking during surgery. The timing and total quantity of these ‘top-up’ doses were also noted.
  • All this data was then statistically analyzed using Student’s T-tests or the Mann-Whitney test.

Results of the Study

  • Out of 36 ponies that completed the study, six ponies were excluded because they required a change in the standard anesthesia regimen due to surgical complications or cryptorchidism (a condition where one or both testes fail to descend).
  • There were no significant differences in terms of the timings of recorded events, number of ponies needing additional ketamine doses, timing and frequency of such doses, and the total amount of ketamine used in either group.
  • The quality of anesthesia, surgery, and recovery were also seen to be similar between the two groups.

Conclusion of the Study

  • From the results, it is concluded that both the standard and increased doses of ketamine resulted in similar durations of the action and provided suitable conditions for ponies undergoing castration.

Cite This Article

APA
Wise IK, Klöppel H, Leece EA. (2021). Comparison of two doses of ketamine for induction of anaesthesia in ponies undergoing field castration. Open Vet J, 11(4), 747-754. https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2021.v11.i4.27

Publication

Open veterinary journal
ISSN: 2218-6050
NlmUniqueID: 101653182
Country: Libya
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 4
Pages: 747-754

Researcher Affiliations

Wise, Innes K
  • Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Suffolk, UK.
Klöppel, Heide
  • Davies Veterinary Specialists, Manor Farm Business Park, Higham Gobion, Hertfordshire, UK.
Leece, Elizabeth A
  • Paragon Veterinary Referrals, Paragon Business Village, Red Hall Crescent, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Male
  • Anesthesia, General / veterinary
  • Anesthetics / pharmacology
  • Horses
  • Ketamine / pharmacology
  • Orchiectomy / methods
  • Orchiectomy / veterinary
  • Prospective Studies

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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