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Equine veterinary journal2020; 52(4); 516-521; doi: 10.1111/evj.13232

Comparison of xylazine and detomidine in combination with midazolam/ketamine for field castration in Quarter Horses.

Abstract: The ideal field anaesthetic protocol for castration will offer an adequate duration and depth of anaesthesia using a single injection without compromising safety or recovery quality. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare intravenous (IV) xylazine and detomidine as sedatives in combination with midazolam and ketamine for induction of anaesthesia in horses undergoing field castration. Methods: Randomised, blinded, clinical study. Methods: Fifty-seven male Quarter Horses were randomly assigned to receive xylazine (group X) (1.1 mg/kg bwt) or detomidine (group D) (0.03 mg/kg bwt) as premedication with midazolam (0.05 mg/kg bwt) and ketamine (2.2 mg/kg bwt) anaesthesia. Using simple descriptive scales, quality of sedation, induction, surgical conditions and recovery were scored by blinded observers. Induction, surgery, recovery time and time from induction to standing were recorded. Results: There were a greater number of horses with lower sedation score in group D when compared with horses in group X at 5 minutes after the first dose of sedation (11.1%, 66.7% and 2.2% of horses from group D with sedation scores of 1, 2 and 3, vs 0%, 52% and 48% from group X, respectively, P = .05). A significant (P < .01) difference was found between surgical condition scores for group D (63%, 14.8%, 11.1% and 11.1% with surgery scores of 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively) and group X (28%, 4%, 28% and 40%). Horses in Group D were less likely to require maintenance doses of ketamine (P = .05) with only 26% (7 of 27 horses) in this group requiring additional doses compared to 68% (17 of 25 horses) in group X. Recovery time in minutes (Group D: 24.74 ± 14.80, Group X: 13.08 ± 8.00; P < .01) and induction to standing time in minutes (Group D: 42.2 ± 13.8, Group X: 29.8 ± 8.2; P < .01) were significantly longer for horses in group D compared with group X. Conclusions: Multiple surgeons and multiple blinded observers. Conclusions: Detomidine as compared with xylazine as premedication results in good quality sedation and surgical conditions and prolonged surgical plane of anaesthesia, without significant differences in induction or recovery quality.
© 2020 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2020-02-18 PubMed ID: 31965616DOI: 10.1111/evj.13232Google 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 article focuses on comparing the effectiveness of two sedatives, xylazine and detomidine, used with midazolam and ketamine during the castration process in Quarter Horses. The study found that using detomidine in place of xylazine results in better quality sedation and surgical conditions, and a longer period of anesthesia, without greatly affecting the quality of induction or recovery.

Objective and Methodology

The key objective of the research was to determine which of two sedatives, xylazine and detomidine, when used with midazolam and ketamine, provides better anesthesia for horses undergoing castration out in the field. The ideal sedative should provide an adequate depth and duration of anesthesia with safety and quality recovery.

  • The researchers used a randomized, blinded, clinical trial methodology, wherein 57 male Quarter Horses were segregated into two groups: group X (xylazine) and group D (detomidine).
  • The quality of sedation, induction, surgical conditions, and recovery of the horses were scored by blinded observers. Various times such as the induction, surgery, recovery, and the timeline from induction to standing were also recorded.

Results

The study found that:

  • Horses in group D (detomidine) had lower sedation scores five minutes after the first sedative dose.
  • Surgical condition scores were found to be significantly different between groups D and X, implying detomidine may provide better surgical conditions.
  • Horses in group D were less likely to need additional doses of ketamine.
  • Time for recovery and induction to standing was longer in group D than in group X. This could mean that the detomidine maintained anesthesia for a longer duration.

Conclusions

The research concluded that detomidine, in comparison to xylazine, resulted in better quality sedation and surgical conditions. It also extended the surgical plane of anesthesia without significant differences in induction quality or recovery. Therefore, based on this research, detomidine would be the preferable premedication sedative for horses undergoing field castration.

Cite This Article

APA
Smith MC, Bass L, Damone J, Mama K, Rao S. (2020). Comparison of xylazine and detomidine in combination with midazolam/ketamine for field castration in Quarter Horses. Equine Vet J, 52(4), 516-521. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13232

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 4
Pages: 516-521

Researcher Affiliations

Smith, Mindy C
  • Iron Horse Equine Medical and Surgical Services, Elizabeth, CO, USA.
Bass, Luke
  • Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Damone, James
  • Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Mama, Khursheed
  • Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Rao, Sangeeta
  • Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Fort Collins, CO, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles
  • Ketamine
  • Male
  • Midazolam
  • Orchiectomy / veterinary
  • Xylazine

Grant Funding

  • Zoetis

References

This article includes 19 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Wise IK, Klöppel H, Leece EA. Comparison of two doses of ketamine for induction of anaesthesia in ponies undergoing field castration. Open Vet J 2021 Oct-Dec;11(4):747-754.
    doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2021.v11.i4.27pubmed: 35070872google scholar: lookup
  2. Jarosinski SK, Simon BT, Hatfield R, Matthews NS, Arnold CE. The effects of xylazine or detomidine when used as a pre-anesthetic sedative on recovery quality and duration in horses undergoing elective equine castration. Can Vet J 2021 Sep;62(9):982-986.
    pubmed: 34475584
  3. 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).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11061777pubmed: 34198637google scholar: lookup
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