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Evaluation of sedation for standing clinical procedures in horses using detomidine combined with buprenorphine.
Abstract: To examine the effect of including buprenorphine with detomidine for sedation of horses undergoing clinical procedures. Methods: Partially blinded, randomised, prospective clinical field trial. Methods: Eighty four client-owned horses scheduled for minor surgery or diagnostic investigation under standing sedation. Methods: The effects of buprenorphine (5 μg kg(-1) ) (Group B, n = 46) or placebo (5% glucose solution) (Group C, n = 38) in combination with detomidine (10 μg kg(-1) ) were compared in standing horses undergoing minor clinical procedures. The primary outcome measure was successful completion of the procedure. The degree of sedation and ataxia were scored using simple descriptive scales. Heart and respiratory rates were recorded at 15-30 minute intervals. Parametric data from each group were compared using anova or t-test and non parametric data using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The procedure was carried out successfully in 91% of Group B and 63% of Group C (p < 0.01). Repeat dosing was required in 24% of Group B and 32% of Group C (p < 0.05). Sedation was more profound and lasted longer (60 versus 45 minutes) in Group B (p < 0.01). Ataxia occurred after detomidine, increased after buprenorphine but not glucose administration, was more profound in group B and lasted longer (60 versus 30 minutes) p < 0.001). Heart and respiratory rates remained within normal limits in both groups and there were no serious adverse events. Conclusions: Buprenorphine 5 and 10 μg kg(-1) enhanced the sedation produced by detomidine 10 and 20 μg kg(-1) with minor side effects similar to other alpha2 agonist/opioid combinations. Detomidine-buprenorphine sedation is suitable for standing procedures in horses.
© 2013 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia.
Publication Date: 2013-06-07 PubMed ID: 23742694DOI: 10.1111/vaa.12055Google 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.
- Journal Article
- Multicenter Study
- Randomized Controlled Trial
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 evaluates the effectiveness of a combination of detomidine and buprenorphine in sedating horses for minor surgical and diagnostic procedures. The paper concludes that this mixture is superior to a detomidine and placebo combination, and increases the chances of successful procedure completion.
Experimental Design and Methodology
- For this study, 84 client-owned horses undergoing minor surgical operations or diagnostic tests were selected.
- The research approach was a partially blinded, randomized, prospective clinical field trial.
- The horses were divided into two groups: Group B (46 horses), which was administrated detomidine combined with buprenorphine, and Group C (38 horses), which received a combination of detomidine and placebo (5% glucose solution).
- The research team primarily focused in determining whether or not the procedure could be successfully conducted.
- The extent of sedation and ataxia (loss of body movement control) were scored and noted.
- Vital signs of the horses such as heart and respiration rates were routinely recorded every 15-30 minutes.
Results of the Research
- Based on the results, 91% of the procedures on the horses in Group B (buprenorphine group) were successfully completed, while success rate was only 63% for Group C (placebo group).
- Detomidine with buprenorphine from group B produced more profound sedation which also lasted longer, about 60 minutes, compared to Group C’s 45 minutes.
- Ataxia was more severe and lasted longer in Group B, but the heart and respiratory rates of both groups remained normal and there were no serious side effects.
- Re-dosing was necessary in 24% of horses in Group B, and in 32% of horses from Group C.
Conclusion of the Study
- From the results of the study, the researchers concluded that the combination of 5 and 10 μg kg(-1) of buprenorphine with 10 and 20 μg kg(-1) of detomidine improves the sedation effects and can be effectively used for standing procedures in horses.
- However, this method is associated with minor side effects, which are similar to other combined alpha2 agonist and opioid usage.
Cite This Article
APA
Taylor P, Coumbe K, Henson F, Scott D, Taylor A.
(2013).
Evaluation of sedation for standing clinical procedures in horses using detomidine combined with buprenorphine.
Vet Anaesth Analg, 41(1), 14-24.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vaa.12055 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Taylor Monroe, Gravel Head Farm, Little Downham, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Analgesics, Opioid / administration & dosage
- Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacology
- Animals
- Buprenorphine / administration & dosage
- Buprenorphine / pharmacology
- Conscious Sedation / veterinary
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Female
- Horses
- Hypnotics and Sedatives / administration & dosage
- Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology
- Imidazoles / administration & dosage
- Imidazoles / pharmacology
- Male
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Rabbogliatti V, Amari M, Brioschi FA, Di Cesare F, Zani DD, De Zani D, Di Giancamillo M, Cagnardi P, Ravasio G. Use of dexmedetomidine repeated subcutaneous administration for balanced anaesthesia in horses. BMC Vet Res 2022 Jul 11;18(1):269.
- López-Sanromán FJ, Montes Freilich G, Gómez-Cisneros D, Izquierdo-Moreno J, Varela Del Arco M, Manso-Díaz G. Morphine with or without Acepromazine in Horses: A Kinematic Evaluation. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 6;12(9).
- 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).
- Haunhorst FR, Hopster K, Schmicke M, Bienert-Zeit A, Kästner S. Clinical effect of buprenorphine or butorphanol, in combination with detomidine and diazepam, on sedation and postoperative pain after cheek tooth extraction in horses. Can Vet J 2022 Jan;63(1):39-46.
- Nannarone S, Giannettoni G, Laurenza C, Giontella A, Moretti G. Methadone or Butorphanol as Pre-Anaesthetic Agents Combined with Romifidine in Horses Undergoing Elective Surgery: Qualitative Assessment of Sedation and Induction. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 31;11(9).
- Wiederkehr A, Barbarossa A, Ringer SK, Jörger FB, Bryner M, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R. Clinical Randomized Comparison of Medetomidine and Xylazine for Isoflurane Balanced Anesthesia in Horses. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:603695.
- de Oliveira AR, Gozalo-Marcilla M, Ringer SK, Schauvliege S, Fonseca MW, Trindade PHE, Puoli Filho JNP, Luna SPL. Development, Validation, and Reliability of a Sedation Scale in Horses (EquiSed). Front Vet Sci 2021;8:611729.
- Taylor PM, Hoare HR, de Vries A, Love EJ, Coumbe KM, White KL, Murrell JC. A multicentre, prospective, randomised, blinded clinical trial to compare some perioperative effects of buprenorphine or butorphanol premedication before equine elective general anaesthesia and surgery. Equine Vet J 2016 Jul;48(4):442-50.
- 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.
- Paranjape VV, Knych HK, Berghaus LJ, Giancola S, Cathcart J, Reed RA. Plasma concentrations of buprenorphine administered via matrix-type transdermal patches applied at three different anatomical locations in healthy adult horses. Front Pain Res (Lausanne) 2024;5:1390322.
- Paranjape VV, Knych HK, Berghaus LJ, Cathcart J, Giancola S, Craig H, James C, Saksena S, Reed RA. Evaluation of physical variables, thermal nociceptive threshold testing and pharmacokinetics during placement of transdermal buprenorphine matrix-type patch in healthy adult horses. Front Pain Res (Lausanne) 2024;5:1373555.
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