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Equine veterinary journal2024; doi: 10.1111/evj.14207

Correlation between kinematic parameters, ataxia and ground-to-lip distance in detomidine sedated horses.

Abstract: An accurate evaluation of the degree of sedation is mandatory to adjust the dosage of sedative drugs. Objective: To determine the correlation between head height above the ground and ataxia degree in horses sedated with detomidine and the correlation existing between accelerometric variables and both parameters. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Twelve horses were given 0.01 mg/kg of detomidine hydrochloride iv. Measured accelerometric parameters, with one accelerometer positioned between both sacral tuberosities, included speed, stride frequency and length, regularity, dorsoventral, longitudinal, mediolateral and total accelerometric activities, relative force index and dorsoventral, longitudinal and mediolateral parts of the accelerometric activities. Head height above the ground (cm) and subjective ataxia degree were also measured. Baseline values (-15 min) and values measured 5 and 15 min after the injection and then every 15 min for a period of 2 h were obtained. Results: There was a negative and strong correlation between head height above the ground and ataxia degree (Pearson r = -0.78, p < 0.001), particularly during the first 45 min. A significant correlation was found between head height above the ground and almost all accelerometric parameters. This correlation was very strong with stride frequency, regularity and dorsoventral and total accelerometric activities in both cases, but for ataxia, also with total accelerometric activity. Conclusions: Experimental conditions may not represent real clinical situations. Conclusions: Stride frequency and regularity are the most reliable parameters to determine degree of sedation and are related to the sedation produced. Ataxia should not be considered a separate property of sedation and does not need to be assessed separately to the depth of sedation. Unassigned: Una evaluación precisa del grado de sedación es importante para ajustar la dosis de drogas sedantes. Objective: Determinar la correlación entre la altura de cabeza con respecto al suelo y el grado de ataxia en caballos sedados con detomidina y la correlación que existe entre las variables acelerométricas y ambos parámetros. DISEÑO DEL ESTUDIO: Estudio retrospectivo. MÉTODOS: A doce caballos se les administró 0.01 mg/kg de hidrocloruro de detomidina por vía endovenosa. Parámetros acelerométricos fueron medidos, con un acelerómetro posicionado entre ambas tuberosidades sacrales, que incluyeron velocidad, frecuencia y largo del paso, regularidad, actividades acelerométricas dorso ventral, longitudinal, medio lateral y total, índice de fuerza relativo y partes dorso ventral, longitudinal, medio lateral de actividades acelerométricas. También se midieron la altura de la cabeza sobre el nivel del suelo (cm) y grado de ataxia subjetiva. Se obtuvieron valores de base (‐15 min) y valores medidos 5 y 15 min después de la inyección y subsecuentemente cada 15 min por un periódo de 2h. Results: Hubo una correlación fuerte, negativa, estadísticamente significativa entre la altura de la cabeza sobre el nivel del suelo y el grado de ataxia (Pearson r = ‐0.78, p<0.001), con una correlación mayor durante los primeros 45 minutos. En cuanto a la ataxia, se encontró una correlación significativa entre cabeza sobre el suelo y casi todos los parámetros acelerométricos. Esta correlación fue muy fuerte con la frecuencia y regularidad del paso, actividades acelerométricas dorso ventral y total en ambos casos pero para ataxia también con actividad acelerométrica total. Unassigned: Condiciones experimentales no imitan completamente las situaciones clínicas reales. Conclusions: La frecuencia y regularidad del paso parecen ser los parámetros más confiables para determinar el grado de sedación y están estrictamente relacionados con la sedación producida. Además, la ataxia no debería considerarse como una propiedad separada de la sedación y no necesita ser evaluada en forma separada a la profundidad de la sedación.
© 2024 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-08-14 PubMed ID: 39140154DOI: 10.1111/evj.14207Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This study investigates correlations in horses between head height above ground, ataxia (uncoordinated movements), and movements captured by an accelerometer, after sedation with the drug detomidine. The researchers found strong correlations between these variables, suggesting stride frequency and regularity are reliable markers of sedation level, and ataxia does not need to be assessed separately.

Research Objectives

  • The primary aim of the study was to determine the relationship between a horse’s head height above the ground and the degree of ataxia after sedation with detomidine.
  • The research also aimed to identify the correlation between accelerometric (motion measurement) variables and the two parameters above.

Methods and Procedures

  • The researchers utilized a retrospective study design, using twelve horses as subjects.
  • Each horse was administered a dose of 0.01 mg/kg of detomidine hydrochloride intravenously.
  • An accelerometer, positioned between both sacral tuberosities, measured various parameters such as speed, stride frequency and length, regularity, and dorsoventral, longitudinal, mediolateral, and total accelerometric activities.
  • The scientists also measured the horses’ head height above the ground (in cm) and subjectively assessed their degree of ataxia.
  • Baseline data was collected 15 minutes before the injection, and then at 5 and 15 minutes after the injection, followed by measurements every 15 minutes for a period of 2 hours.

Key Findings

  • There was a strong and negative correlation between the horses’ head height above the ground and ataxia degree, especially noted during the first 45 minutes after sedation.
  • The researchers discovered a significant correlation between head height above the ground and almost all the accelerometric parameters measured.
  • Among these parameters, stride frequency, regularity, dorsoventral and total accelerometric activities showed a particularly strong correlation.
  • The same parameters, along with total accelerometric activity, displayed a strong correlation with ataxia, too.

Conclusions

  • The researchers caution that their experimental conditions might not fully represent real clinical situations.
  • They concluded that stride frequency and regularity are the most reliable parameters to determine the degree of sedation in horses. These elements are directly related to the sedation effect produced.
  • The authors also suggest that ataxia should not be considered a separate property of sedation, and it doesn’t need to be evaluated separately from the depth/degree of sedation.

Cite This Article

APA
Izquierdo-Moreno J, de Paz MI, Manso-Díaz G, Villalba-Orero M, López-Sanromán J. (2024). Correlation between kinematic parameters, ataxia and ground-to-lip distance in detomidine sedated horses. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14207

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Izquierdo-Moreno, Jorge
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
de Paz, Marta Illán
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Manso-Díaz, Gabriel
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Villalba-Orero, María
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
López-Sanromán, Javier
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Arantes JA, Rabelo IP, Bermudes L, Lacerenza MD, Mendes RP, Corrêa RR, Yamada DI, Valadão CAA, Dória RGS. Optimizing equine standing sedation: continuous infusion of detomidine and butorphanol enhances stability but prolongs ataxia. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1606585.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1606585pubmed: 40919037google scholar: lookup
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