[Effects of morphine, butorphanol and levomethadone in different doses on thermal nociceptive thresholds in horses].
Abstract: Various opioids are available for use in equine medicine. Studies directly comparing their analgesic effects and side effects are rare. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the antinociceptive effect and the duration of analgesia of two different doses of morphine, butorphanol and levomethadone in horses. Methods: Eight adult, healthy horses were used for this randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded cross-over trail. Each horse received placebo (P = 0.9% saline) and morphine (M = 0.1 mg/kg; M = 0.2 mg/kg), butorphanol (B = 0.1 mg/kg; B = 0.2 mg/kg) and levomethadone (L = 0.1 mg/kg; L = 0.2 mg/kg) in a low and a high dose and with a wash-out period of 14 days. Thermal thresholds were determined by incremental contact heat applied to the skin at the withers. Single stimulations were performed 15 minutes prior and 10, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420, 540 and 1350 minutes after treatment. Threshold values, gastrointestinal auscultation score and horses' behavior were recorded. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance for repeated measurements (p < 0.05). Results: In group M, changes in thermal thresholds did not reach significance. Thermal threshold increased significantly in the groups M, B, B, L and L for 240, 90, 90, 60 and 300 minutes, respectively. Behavioural changes, increased locomotion and decreased bowel sounds as well as delayed time until defecation were noticed in all groups. Conclusions: Levomethadone induced a dose-dependent increase and prolongation of analgesia, whereas with butorphanol there was no difference between dosages regarding duration and intensity of analgesia. Morphine provided detectable analgesia only in the high dose of 0.2 mg/kg. Conclusions: Levomethadone and morphine in the low dose (0.1 mg/kg) produced only minor and short lived anti-nociception and further studies are necessary to give a profound dose recommendation for the use of these drugs in horses.
Publication Date: 2017-01-11 PubMed ID: 28075433DOI: 10.15653/TPG-160655Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
Summary
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This study aims to compare the painkilling effects and duration of different doses of the opioids morphine, butorphanol, and levomethadone on horses. The research concluded that levomethadone caused a dose-dependent increase in the duration and strength of pain relief.
Research Methodology
- The study consisted of eight adult, healthy horses, subjected to a randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded cross-over trial.
- Each horse received a placebo and two different doses of the three opioids. The doses were spaced out with a wash-out period of 14 days in between.
- Thermal pain thresholds were determined by the application of gradual heat to the skin at the withers (the ridge between the shoulder bones) of the horses.
- Pain stimulus and measurements were performed 15 minutes prior to, then repeatedly after the drug administration, up to 1350 minutes later.
- Threshold values, gastrointestinal sounds, and the behavior of the horses were recorded and analyzed.
Results of the Study
- In the morphine groups, there were no significant changes in the thermal pain thresholds.
- Significant increases in pain thresholds were recorded in the groups administered with morphine, butorphanol, and levomethadone, indicating successful analgesia, with varying durations and intensities.
- Behavioral changes, including increased movement, decreased bowel sounds, and delayed defecation times, were noticed across all groups.
Conclusions
- The use of levomethadone successfully resulted in a dosage-dependent increase and prolongation of pain relief.
- There was no discernible difference between dosages for butorphanol regarding the duration and strength of pain relief.
- A high dose of 0.2 mg/kg of morphine was needed to observe any discernible pain relief.
- Low doses (0.1 mg/kg) of levomethadone and morphine only produced minor and short-lived pain relief, indicating further studies are needed to provide a more detailed dosage recommendation for the use of these drugs on horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Dönselmann Im Sande P, Hopster K, Kästner S.
(2017).
[Effects of morphine, butorphanol and levomethadone in different doses on thermal nociceptive thresholds in horses].
Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere, 45(2), 98-106.
https://doi.org/10.15653/TPG-160655 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Prof. Dr. Sabine Kästner, Klinik für Pferde, Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hannover, E-Mail: Sabine.Kaestner@tiho-hannover.de.
MeSH Terms
- Analgesics / therapeutic use
- Animals
- Butorphanol / therapeutic use
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Hot Temperature / adverse effects
- Methadone / therapeutic use
- Morphine / therapeutic use
- Pain / drug therapy
- Pain / veterinary
- Pain Measurement
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Hamamoto-Hardman BD, Steffey EP, Seminoff K, McKemie DS, Kass P, Knych HK. Preliminary study of the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and behavioral and select physiological effects of morphine 6-glucuronide (M6G) following intravenous administration to horses. Can J Vet Res 2022 Jul;86(3):172-180.
- Knych HK, Stucker K, Gretler SR, Kass PH, McKemie DS. Pharmacokinetics, adverse effects and effects on thermal nociception following administration of three doses of codeine to horses. BMC Vet Res 2022 May 25;18(1):196.
- Emanuel D, Kästner SBR, Delarocque J, Grob AJ, Bienert-Zeit A. Influence of Butorphanol, Buprenorphine and Levomethadone on Sedation Quality and Postoperative Analgesia in Horses Undergoing Cheek Tooth Extraction. Vet Sci 2022 Apr 6;9(4).
- Troya-Portillo L, López-Sanromán J, Villalba-Orero M, Santiago-Llorente I. Cardiorespiratory, Sedative and Antinociceptive Effects of a Medetomidine Constant Rate Infusion with Morphine, Ketamine or Both. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 13;11(7).
- Hamamoto-Hardman BD, Steffey EP, McKemie DS, Kass PH, Knych HK. Meperidine pharmacokinetics and effects on physiologic parameters and thermal threshold following intravenous administration of three doses to horses. BMC Vet Res 2020 Oct 1;16(1):368.
- Paton KF, Atigari DV, Kaska S, Prisinzano T, Kivell BM. Strategies for Developing κ Opioid Receptor Agonists for the Treatment of Pain with Fewer Side Effects. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2020 Nov;375(2):332-348.
- Gretler SR, Finno CJ, McKemie DS, Kass PH, Knych HK. Metabolism, pharmacokinetics and selected pharmacodynamic effects of codeine following a single oral administration to horses. Vet Anaesth Analg 2020 Sep;47(5):694-704.
- Knych HK, Steinmetz SJ, Traynham ML, McKemie DS, Kass PH. Pharmacokinetics and thermal anti-nociceptive effects of oral morphine in horses. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1461648.
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