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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Physiological and analgesic effects of continuous-rate infus...
BMC veterinary research2014; 10; 966; doi: 10.1186/s12917-014-0299-z

Physiological and analgesic effects of continuous-rate infusion of morphine, butorphanol, tramadol or methadone in horses with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced carpal synovitis.

Abstract: Continuous-rate infusion (CRI) of drugs results in more stable plasma drug concentrations than administration of intermittent boluses, thus providing greater stability of physiological parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiologic and analgesic effects of the administration of morphine, butorphanol, tramadol or methadone by CRI in horses with induced synovitis of the radiocarpal joint. Results: Increased values of cardiorespiratory parameters and body temperature were observed in all groups after initiation of opioid administration, and these increases were sustained throughout the CRI period. Morphine, butorphanol and methadone each caused a reduction in gut sounds, and this effect was greatest in animals that received morphine. Administration of morphine or methadone reduced the degree of lameness after the end of intravenous infusion. Administration of tramadol did not alter the degree of lameness in the animals. Conclusions: CRI of morphine or methadone, but not butorphanol or tramadol, provided analgesia in horses with carpal synovitis. All of these opioids increased cardiovascular and respiratory parameters and reduced gut sounds during CRI.
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Publication Date: 2014-12-21 PubMed ID: 25528353PubMed Central: PMC4297404DOI: 10.1186/s12917-014-0299-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

This research experiment tested the physiological and analgesic effects of four opioids (morphine, butorphanol, tramadol, or methadone) given to horses with induced carpal synovitis by a method known as Continuous-rate Infusion (CRI). The study found that morphine or methadone infusion provided pain relief, but all four opioids increased cardiovascular and respiratory parameters and reduced gut sounds during continuous infusion.

Research Methodology

  • The method employed in the study was a process known as continuous-rate infusion (CRI). This is the constant delivery of medication, which helps regulate and maintain acceptable plasma drug concentrations as compared to the sometimes erratic levels caused by intermittent boluses which is the rapid administration of medication.
  • The study was undertaken on horses, where inflammation of the radiocarpal joint (carpal synovitis) was induced using lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a kind of bacterial toxin.
  • The four drugs administered as part of the CRI protocol were the opioids morphine, butorphanol, tramadol, and methadone.
  • These four drugs were selected due to their frequent use in veterinary medicine, particularly for the treatment of pain.

Study Findings

  • The research found that all four of the drugs, when administered through CRI, caused increase in cardiorespiratory parameters and body temperature in the horses.
  • This change was sustained throughout the period of drug infusion, showcasing the impact of these opioids on the equine physiological parameters.
  • Morphine, butorphanol, and methadone specifically caused a decrease in gut sounds, an indication of reduced gastrointestinal motility. This effect was most pronounced with the administration of morphine.
  • Furthermore, the administration of morphine or methadone resulted in reduced lameness after the cessation of intravenous infusion, indicating their analgesic or pain-relieving effects.
  • Conversely, the use of tramadol did not alter the degree of lameness in the animals.

Conclusion

  • This research concludes that continuous-rate infusion of morphine or methadone provided effective analgesia or pain-relief in horses with an induced carpal synovitis.
  • However, butorphanol and tramadol, despite their impacts on the cardiorespiratory system and gut motility, did not alter the horses’ degree of lameness or contribute to pain relief.
  • Additionally, all of the opioids tested increased cardiovascular and respiratory parameters while simultaneously reducing gut sounds during their infusion.
  • This highlights the complex effects of these drugs on the horses’ systems, and prompts the need for further investigation to fully understand their impacts and potential utility in equine veterinary medicine.

Cite This Article

APA
Carregaro AB, Freitas GC, Ribeiro MH, Xavier NV, Dória RG. (2014). Physiological and analgesic effects of continuous-rate infusion of morphine, butorphanol, tramadol or methadone in horses with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced carpal synovitis. BMC Vet Res, 10, 966. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-014-0299-z

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 10
Pages: 966
PII: 966

Researcher Affiliations

Carregaro, Adriano B
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Duque de Caxias Norte ave 225, Pirassununga, ZIP 13635-900, SP, Brazil. carregaro@usp.br.
Freitas, Gabrielle C
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of South Border, Realeza, PR, Brazil. gabrielle.freitas@uffs.edu.br.
Ribeiro, Martina H
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Duque de Caxias Norte ave 225, Pirassununga, ZIP 13635-900, SP, Brazil. martinavet01@usp.br.
Xavier, Nathalia V
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Duque de Caxias Norte ave 225, Pirassununga, ZIP 13635-900, SP, Brazil. nathaliavxavier@gmail.com.
Dória, Renata G S
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Duque de Caxias Norte ave 225, Pirassununga, ZIP 13635-900, SP, Brazil. redoria@usp.br.

MeSH Terms

  • Analgesia / methods
  • Analgesia / veterinary
  • Analgesics, Opioid / administration & dosage
  • Animals
  • Butorphanol / administration & dosage
  • Carpal Joints
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horses
  • Infusions, Intravenous / veterinary
  • Lameness, Animal
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Methadone / administration & dosage
  • Morphine / administration & dosage
  • Synovitis / chemically induced
  • Synovitis / drug therapy
  • Synovitis / veterinary
  • Tramadol / administration & dosage

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Deflers H, Gandar F, Bolen G, Detilleux J, Sandersen C, Marlier D. Effects of a Single Opioid Dose on Gastrointestinal Motility in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): Comparisons among Morphine, Butorphanol, and Tramadol.. Vet Sci 2022 Jan 14;9(1).
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