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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Surg / Liposomal bupivacaine caudal epidural in horses results in a...
Veterinary surgery : VS2025; 55(1); 218-224; doi: 10.1111/vsu.70055

Liposomal bupivacaine caudal epidural in horses results in adverse effects without analgesia.

Abstract: To evaluate the analgesic properties and adverse effects of liposomal bupivacaine administered via caudal epidural in horses. Methods: Pharmacodynamic study. Methods: A total of 10 healthy adult horses. Methods: Liposomal bupivacaine (10 mL; 1.3%) was administered into the caudal epidural space via an indwelling epidural catheter inserted to a length of 15 cm. Mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) testing with pressure algometry was used to measure analgesia at four anatomic locations for 72 h following injection. Physical examinations (including rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and ataxia scores) were performed every 4 h to monitor for adverse effects, and fecal and urine output were recorded. Results: There were no significant differences detected at any time point in rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, or MNT at any anatomic site compared to baseline. Ataxia scores were significantly elevated from 24 to 36 h following epidural injection. Adverse events included recumbency in two horses, urinary retention necessitating urinary catheter placement in three horses and decreased fecal output requiring manual manure removal from the rectum in six horses. Conclusions: Liposomal bupivacaine administered as a caudal epidural in horses resulted in ataxia and clinically relevant adverse effects but no detectable analgesia. Conclusions: Based on these findings, caudal epidural administration of liposomal bupivacaine in horses at the dose evaluated in this study is not recommended.
© 2025 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2025-11-20 PubMed ID: 41261991DOI: 10.1111/vsu.70055Google Scholar: Lookup
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APA
Stokes C, Natalini CC, Wills R, Eddy A, Mochal-King C, O'Shea C, Fontenot RL. (2025). Liposomal bupivacaine caudal epidural in horses results in adverse effects without analgesia. Vet Surg, 55(1), 218-224. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.70055

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 1
Pages: 218-224

Researcher Affiliations

Stokes, Christopher
  • Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA.
Natalini, Claudio Correa
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA.
Wills, Robert
  • Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA.
Eddy, Alison
  • Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA.
Mochal-King, Cathleen
  • Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA.
O'Shea, Caitlin
  • Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA.
Fontenot, Robin L
  • Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bupivacaine / administration & dosage
  • Bupivacaine / adverse effects
  • Horses
  • Anesthetics, Local / administration & dosage
  • Anesthetics, Local / adverse effects
  • Liposomes
  • Male
  • Female
  • Injections, Epidural / veterinary
  • Analgesia, Epidural / veterinary
  • Ataxia / chemically induced
  • Ataxia / veterinary
  • Anesthesia, Caudal / veterinary
  • Anesthesia, Caudal / adverse effects

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