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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(3); doi: 10.3390/ani10030485

Evaluation of Stress Response under a Standard Euthanasia Protocol in Horses Using Analysis of Heart Rate Variability.

Abstract: The effects of a standard protocol for euthanasia on heart rate variability (HRV) as a consequence of stress response were analyzed in this prospective clinical study. The HRV was determined in 40 horses undergoing euthanasia due to various reasons, at different locations, and with/without owner presence. For euthanasia, horses were sedated with xylazine or a combination of xylazine and butorphanol. General anesthesia was induced using diazepam and ketamine. Afterwards, horses were euthanized with pentobarbital. The ECG data were taken by a Telemetric ECG at three time points (sedation, anesthesia, anesthesia until death). The HRV was analyzed including the low (LF) and high frequency (HF) components of HRV and the sympathovagal balance (LF/HF ratio). Significant differences in the LF, HF and LF/HF ratio were found between the three time points of euthanasia (p < 0.001). The HRV analysis showed dominating sympathetic activity in the preparation phase of euthanasia and during the injection of pentobarbital. The location of euthanasia, presence of owner and type of primary diseases had no influence on stress parameters. Horses showing excitations or groaning during euthanasia did not differ in HRV. Horse with colic were however more likely to show reoccurrence of breathing during euthanasia. In conclusion, HRV is a sensitive, noninvasive parameter to obtain sympathovagal stimulations during euthanasia and adapted protocols for euthanasia in horse with colic should be studied.
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Publication Date: 2020-03-13 PubMed ID: 32183168PubMed Central: PMC7142513DOI: 10.3390/ani10030485Google 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.

The research article evaluates how standard procedures for euthanizing horses can influence heart rate variability (HRV), a marker for stress. Results indicated that certain parts of the process increased sympathetic activity in horses, although the presence of owners or the type of illness leading to euthanasia did not affect stress levels. However, horses suffering from colic showed abnormal breathing patterns during euthanasia.

Overview of the Research Process

  • The study was a prospective clinical analysis of standard protocols for euthanizing horses and their impacts on HRV. HRV is generally considered an indicator of stress response, which this study aims to quantify during different stages of euthanasia.
  • The study was conducted on 40 different horses who were being euthanized for various reasons at different locations, with or without the presence of their owners.
  • The euthanasia process included sedating the horses with either xylazine or a mixture of xylazine and butorphanol, inducing general anesthesia using diazepam and ketamine, and ultimately euthanizing the horses using pentobarbital.

Data Collection and Analysis

  • The researchers collected ECG data from the horses at three different points during the euthanasia process: during sedation, during anesthesia, and from anesthesia until death. The data were gathered using a telemetric ECG.
  • The HRV was then analyzed, with the researchers focusing on the low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) components of the HRV, as well as the sympathovagal balance, represented by the LF/HF ratio.
  • The results revealed significant differences in the LF, HF and LF/HF ratio at the three stages of euthanasia. There was a dominant sympathetic activity during the preparation phase of euthanasia and at the time of pentobarbital injection.

Results and Conclusion

  • The study found that neither the location of euthanasia nor the presence of the horse’s owner had any impact on stress parameters.
  • The horses’ reactions during euthanasia, such as excitation or groaning, did not show significant differences in the HRV measurement.
  • Interestingly, horses which were suffering from colic were found to exhibit recurring breathing during euthanasia, indicating a different stress response.
  • The conclusion of the study suggests that HRV provides a sensitive and non-invasive way to measure sympathovagal stimulations experienced by a horse during euthanasia. Furthermore, the researchers believe more studies should be conducted on euthanasia protocols for horses with colic, as the stress response in these cases appears different.

Cite This Article

APA
Gehlen H, Loschelder J, Merle R, Walther M. (2020). Evaluation of Stress Response under a Standard Euthanasia Protocol in Horses Using Analysis of Heart Rate Variability. Animals (Basel), 10(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10030485

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 3

Researcher Affiliations

Gehlen, Heidrun
  • Equine Clinic, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
Loschelder, Johanna
  • Equine Clinic, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
Merle, Roswitha
  • Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology, Veterinary Department, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
Walther, Maike
  • Equine Clinic, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Poochipakorn C, Wonghanchao T, Sanigavatee K, Chanda M. Stress Responses in Horses Housed in Different Stable Designs during Summer in a Tropical Savanna Climate. Animals (Basel) 2024 Aug 4;14(15).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14152263pubmed: 39123789google scholar: lookup
  2. Eichler F, Ehrle A, Machnik M, Jensen KC, Wagner S, Baudisch N, Bolk J, Pötzsch M, Thevis M, Bäumer W, Lischer C, Wiegard M. Behavioral observations, heart rate and cortisol monitoring in horses following multiple oral administrations of a cannabidiol containing paste (part 2/2). Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1305873.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1305873pubmed: 38234983google scholar: lookup
  3. Hernández-Avalos I, Mota-Rojas D, Mendoza-Flores JE, Casas-Alvarado A, Flores-Padilla K, Miranda-Cortes AE, Torres-Bernal F, Gómez-Prado J, Mora-Medina P. Nociceptive pain and anxiety in equines: Physiological and behavioral alterations. Vet World 2021 Nov;14(11):2984-2995.
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.2984-2995pubmed: 35017848google scholar: lookup
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