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Detomidine: a preliminary analysis of its duration of action in the horse by variable interval responding.
Abstract: Variable interval (VI) reinforcement scheduling is a specific type of operant conditioning that is sensitive to drug effects even when overt clinical signs of the drug have diminished. Six horses were conditioned to break a light beam with a head-bobbing movement and this behaviour was reinforced with a reward of clean oats (approximately 30 mg/reinforcement). Initial training procedures included familiarisation with the behavioural equipment and fixed-ratio reinforced scheduling. To establish baseline rates of behaviour, the horses were converted to a variable interval (60 secs) reinforcement schedule and kept on this schedule for the remainder of the study. A within subjects cross-over design was used with three treatments counterbalanced with the six horses. Detomidine (40 micrograms/kg bodyweight, xylazine (1.1 mg/kg bodyweight) and saline (10 ml) were administered intravenously on Monday mornings with VI responding rates measured during a routine 30 min session each day from Monday to Friday. Responses and reinforcements were recorded and dispensed by use of an electromechanical relay system wired to an electric eye, an automatic feeder and a programming and recording system. Xylazine produced a small decrease in responding rates at 1 h post dose, while detomidine treated horses showed a dramatic decrease in responding rates after 1 h and a lingering effect at 24 h. No long range effects were seen with either treatment and all horses returned to baseline responding rates by 48 h post dose.
Publication Date: 1988-09-01 PubMed ID: 3181114DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1988.tb01535.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper explores the duration of the effects of Detomidine, a sedative drug, on horses’ behavior, using variable interval (VI) reinforcement scheduling.
Research Methodology
- The study utilised a specific type of operant conditioning called variable interval (VI) reinforcement scheduling. This method is sensitive to drug effects even when the noticeable clinical signs of the drug have disappeared.
- The researchers trained six horses to respond to a light beam by bobbing their heads. Each time they performed the behavior, they were rewarded with clean oats.
- Their initial training included familiarisation with the behavioural equipment and reinforced scheduling based on a fixed ratio.
- To establish a baseline rate of behavior, the horses were subjected to a variable interval (60 seconds) reinforcement schedule, which was maintained for the entire study.
- In a crossover design setting, each horse was exposed to one of three treatments that were randomly assigned. The treatments were Detomidine, xylazine, and saline, which were administered intravenously every Monday morning.
- Every day from Monday to Friday, the responding rates to the VI were measured in a routine 30-minute session.
- Responses and reinforcements were recorded using an electromechanical relay system linked to an electric eye, an automatic feeder, and a programming and recording system.
Research Findings
- Horses that were treated with xylazine demonstrated a small decrease in response rates only 1 hour after dosage.
- Horses treated with Detomidine showed a significant decrease in responding rates after 1 hour and a residual effect 24 hours after dosage.
- Both treatments did not show long-lasting effects, and all horses returned to their baseline responding rates 48 hours after dosage.
Conclusion
The research concludes that the effects of the sedative drug, Detomidine, could be monitored and measured accurately using variable interval (VI) reinforcement scheduling. The study also revealed that while Detomidine’s effects were more pronounced and longer-lasting than xylazine’s, they waned within a 48 hour period. Hence, this study provides insights into the duration of action of Detomidine in horses and shows how this impacts their behavior.
Cite This Article
APA
Wood T, Weckman T, Woods WE, Tobin T, Dougherty J.
(1988).
Detomidine: a preliminary analysis of its duration of action in the horse by variable interval responding.
Equine Vet J, 20(5), 320-322.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1988.tb01535.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40546-0099.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal / drug effects
- Conditioning, Operant / drug effects
- Horses / physiology
- Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology
- Imidazoles / pharmacology
- Reinforcement Schedule
- Xylazine / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Jones DL. Clinical effects of detomidine with or without atropine used for arthrocentesis in horses. Can Vet J 1993 May;34(5):296-300.
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