FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Pregabalin contributes to increased recovery time from isofl...
Equine veterinary journal2025; doi: 10.1111/evj.14564

Pregabalin contributes to increased recovery time from isoflurane anaesthesia for magnetic resonance imaging in horses.

Abstract: Pregabalin reduces excitatory neurotransmitter release and is used for anxiolysis in humans, cats, and horses. The effects of pregabalin on equine recovery following isoflurane anaesthesia are unknown. Objective: To determine if pre-anaesthetic oral pregabalin influences recovery time and/or quality from isoflurane anaesthesia in horses undergoing elective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the appendicular skeleton. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Anaesthetic and recovery data from 52 healthy horses in which pregabalin (PG) was administered and 76 control horses (CG) undergoing elective MRI from July 2023 to August 2024 were reviewed. Recordings of the recovery period were blindly scored by three reviewers. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to identify factors that impact recovery times. Results: PG received (median [range]) 3 (1-5) doses of 3.94 (3.56-4.28) mg/kg pregabalin. More CG required butorphanol (23/76 versus PG 4/52 p = 0.008) to achieve appropriate sedation for induction and ketamine boluses during the procedure (25/76 versus 8/52, p = 0.03). PG had longer times to stand (60 [48-71] min versus CG 53 [45-64], p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in recovery quality scores between groups. Age, pregabalin, acepromazine, xylazine, time to first movement and time to extubation were significantly associated with an increased time to stand (R = 0.79, adjusted R = 0.77; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The retrospective nature, limited number of cases, and overall excellent quality of recoveries may have limited detection of differences between groups. Administration of butorphanol, xylazine, and acepromazine at the discretion of an unblinded anaesthetist may have influenced the time to stand. Conclusions: Pregabalin contributed to increased recovery times when administered to a group of healthy horses. Recovery quality scores were excellent overall, and there was no difference between groups.
© 2025 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2025-07-13 PubMed ID: 40653737DOI: 10.1111/evj.14564Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 investigates the effects of pregabalin, a drug used for reducing anxiety and neurotransmitter release in humans and animals, on the time and quality of recovery for horses undergoing anesthesia for magnetic resonance imaging procedures. The results suggest that pregabalin leads to increased recovery times but does not affect the quality of recovery.

Research Methodology

  • The study was a retrospective cohort study, meaning it analyzed past data to determine potential correlations between pregabalin use and recovery times from anesthesia in horses.
  • It involved 128 horses divided into two groups: those which had been administered pregabalin before anaesthesia (52 horses) and a control group (76 horses).
  • The research examined the recovery data and video recordings of the horses after anaesthetic administration and compared pregabalin group against the control group.
  • These recordings were scored blindly by three independent reviewers to minimize bias.
  • Frequent statistical analysis methods were used in the study like multivariable linear regression analysis to identify factors influencing recovery times.

Research Findings

  • Horses given pregabalin took longer to recover from anesthesia as compared to those in the control group.
  • In terms of recovery quality, there were no significant differences observed between the two groups.
  • Other specific factors that were found to potentially affect recovery times include age, other administered drugs (namely acepromazine and xylazine), and duration to first movement and extubation.
  • The study also found that more horses in the control group required additional drugs like butorphanol for sedation during the procedure.

Research Limitations

  • The authors note certain limitations in the study, including its retrospective nature, small sample size, and overall high-quality recoveries.
  • The administration of additional drugs by an unblinded anaesthetist could potentially have influenced the observed recovery times, limiting the study’s conclusions.

Conclusions

  • The research concludes that while pregabalin contributes to longer recovery times from anesthesia in horses, it does not significantly affect the quality of their recovery.
  • Despite the limitations, this study provides valuable insights into the effects of pregabalin on anesthesia recovery in horses, which could help inform future veterinary anesthesia protocols.

Cite This Article

APA
Blanton A, Glass KG, Bayer J, Baetge C, Watanabe R, Sampson SN, Lépiz M, Moreno K, Ida KK. (2025). Pregabalin contributes to increased recovery time from isoflurane anaesthesia for magnetic resonance imaging in horses. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14564

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Blanton, Abigail
  • Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, College Station, Texas, USA.
Glass, Kati G
  • Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, College Station, Texas, USA.
Bayer, Jeanette
  • Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, College Station, Texas, USA.
Baetge, Courtney
  • Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, College Station, Texas, USA.
Watanabe, Ryota
  • Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, College Station, Texas, USA.
Sampson, Sarah N
  • Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, College Station, Texas, USA.
Lépiz, Mauricio
  • Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, College Station, Texas, USA.
Moreno, Kara
  • Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, College Station, Texas, USA.
Ida, Keila K
  • Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, College Station, Texas, USA.

References

This article includes 47 references
  1. Dugdale AHA, Obhrai J, Cripps PJ. Twenty years later: a single‐centre, repeat retrospective analysis of equine perioperative mortality and investigation of recovery quality.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2016;43:171–178.
  2. Laurenza C, Ansart L, Portier K. Risk factors of anesthesia‐related mortality and morbidity in one equine hospital: a retrospective study on 1,161 cases undergoing elective or emergency surgeries.. Front Vet Sci 2019;6:514.
  3. Gozalo‐Marcilla M, Bettschart‐Wolfensberger R, Johnston M, Taylor PM, Redondo JI. Data collection for the fourth multicentre confidential enquiry into perioperative equine fatalities (CEPEF4) study: new technology and preliminary results.. Animals (Basel) 2021;11:2549.
  4. de Miguel GC, Campoy L, Parry S, Miller JE, Martin‐Flores M, Gleed RD. Questionnaire on the process of recovering horses from general anesthesia and associated personnel injury in equine practice.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2021;48:223–229.
  5. Yamashita K, Muir WW, Tsubakishita S, Abrahamsen E, Lerch P, Hubbell JAE. Clinical comparison of xylazine and medetomidine for premedication of horses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002;221:1144–1149.
  6. Johnston GM, Eastment JK, Wood J, Taylor PM. The confidential enquiry into perioperative equine fatalities (CEPEF): mortality results of phases 1 and 2.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2002;29:159–170.
  7. Alonso B, Carregaro A, Cuypers C, Michielsen A, Gasthuys F, Schauvliege S. Effects of detomidine or romifidine during maintenance and recovery from isoflurane anaesthesia in horses.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2022;49:624–633.
  8. Smith MC, Bass L, Damone J, Mama K, Rao S. Comparison of xylazine and detomidine in combination with midazolam/ketamine for field castration in Quarter horses.. Equine Vet J 2020;52:516–521.
  9. Tokushige H, Araki M, Kusano K, Arima D, Ito H, Yamazaki Y. A retrospective comparison of induction with thiopental/guaifenesin and propofol/ketamine in Thoroughbred racehorses anesthetized with sevoflurane and medetomidine during arthroscopic surgery.. J Equine Sci 2019;30:25–31.
  10. de Vries A, Thomson S, Taylor PM. Comparison of midazolam and diazepam as co‐induction agents with ketamine for anaesthesia in sedated ponies undergoing field castration.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2015;42:512–517.
  11. Jarrett MA, Bailey KM, Messenger KM, Prange T, Gaines B, Posner LP. Recovery of horses from general anesthesia after induction with propofol and ketamine versus midazolam and ketamine.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2018;253:101–107.
  12. Matthews NS, Hartsfield SM, Mercer D, Beleau MH, MacKenthun A. Recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia in horses: comparison to isoflurane and effect of postmedication with xylazine.. Vet Surg 1998;27:480–485.
  13. Leece EA, Corletto F, Brearley JC. A comparison of recovery times and characteristics with sevoflurane and isoflurane anaesthesia in horses undergoing magnetic resonance imaging.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2008;35:383–391.
  14. Donaldson LL, Dunlop GS, Holland MS, Burton BA. The recovery of horses from inhalant anesthesia: a comparison of halothane and isoflurane.. Vet Surg 2000;29:92–101.
  15. Ida KK, Fantoni DT, Ibiapina BT, Souto MTMR, Zoppa ALV, Silva LCLC. Effect of postoperative xylazine administration on cardiopulmonary function and recovery quality after isoflurane anesthesia in horses.. Vet Surg 2013;42:877–884.
  16. Santos M, Fuente M, Garcia‐Iturralde R, Herran R, Lopez‐Sanroman J, Tendillo FJ. Effects of alpha‐2 adrenoceptor agonists during recovery from isoflurane anaesthesia in horses.. Equine Vet J 2003;35:170–175.
  17. Woodhouse KJ, Brosnan RJ, Nguyen KQ, Moniz GW, Galuppo LD. Effects of postanesthetic sedation with romifidine or xylazine on quality of recovery from isoflurane anesthesia in horses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013;242:533–539.
  18. Valverde A, Black B, Cribb NC, Hathway A, Daw A. Assessment of unassisted recovery from repeated general isoflurane anesthesia in horses following post‐anesthetic administration of xylazine or acepromazine or a combination of xylazine and ketamine.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2013;40:3–12.
  19. Douglas H, Hopster K, Cerullo M, Hopster‐Iversen C, Stefanovski D, Driessen B. The effects of flumazenil on ventilatory and recovery characteristics in horses following midazolam‐ketamine induction and isoflurane anaesthesia.. Equine Vet J 2021;53:1257–1267.
  20. Nicolaisen A‐SK, Bendix Nygaard A, Christophersen MT, Jensen DB, Lindegaard C. Effect of head and tail rope‐assisted recovery of horses after elective and emergency surgery under general anaesthesia.. Equine Vet Educ 2022;34:126–133.
  21. Rüegg M, Bettschart‐Wolfensberger R, Hartnack S, Junge KH, Theiss F, Ringer SK. Comparison of non‐assisted versus head and tail rope‐assisted recovery after emergency abdominal surgery in horses.. PHK 2016;32:469–478.
  22. Arndt S, Hopster K, Sill V, Rohn K, Kästner SBR. Comparison between head‐tail‐rope assisted and unassisted recoveries in healthy horses undergoing general anesthesia for elective surgeries.. Vet Surg 2020;49:329–338.
  23. Louro LF, Robson K, Hughes J, Loomes K, Senior M. Head and tail rope‐assisted recovery improves quality of recovery from general anaesthesia in horses undergoing emergency exploratory laparotomy.. Equine Vet J 2022;54:875–884.
  24. Young SS, Taylor PM. Factors influencing the outcome of equine anaesthesia: a review of 1,314 cases.. Equine Vet J 1993;25:147–151.
  25. Clark‐Price SC, Posner LP, Gleed RD. Recovery of horses from general anesthesia in a darkened or illuminated recovery stall.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2008;35:473–479.
  26. Gajraj NM. Pregabalin for pain management.. Pain Pract 2005;5:95–102.
  27. Terry RL, McDonnell SM, Van Eps AW, Soma LR, Liu Y, Uboh CE. Pharmacokinetic profile and behavioral effects of gabapentin in the horse.. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2010;33:485–494.
  28. Mullen KR, Schwark W, Divers TJ. Pharmacokinetics of single‐dose intragastric and intravenous pregabalin administration in clinically normal horses.. Am J Vet Res 2013;74:1043–1048.
  29. Shokrollahi S, Mohammadi R, Sarrafzadeh‐Rezaei F, Jalilzadeh‐Amin G, Hashemi‐Asl SM. Clinical and echocardiographic evaluations of sedative and cardiovascular effects of combination of xylazine‐acepromazine versus xylazine‐pregabalin in horses.. Vet Res Forum 2024;15:291–296.
  30. Lamminen T, Korpivaara M, Aspegrén J, Palestrini C, Overall KL. Pregabalin alleviates anxiety and fear in cats during transportation and veterinary visits—a clinical field study.. Animals (Basel) 2023;13:371.
  31. Gajraj NM. Pregabalin: its pharmacology and use in pain management.. Anesth Analg 2007;105:1805–1815.
  32. Meier M, Kazmir‐Lysak K, Kälin I, Torgerson PR, Ringer SK. The influence of hypoxaemia, hypotension and hypercapnia (among other factors) on quality of recovery from general anaesthesia in horses.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2024;51:135–143.
  33. Landis JR, Koch GG. The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data.. Biometrics 1977;33:159–174.
  34. Louro LF, Milner PI, Bardell D. Epidural administration of opioid analgesics improves quality of recovery in horses anaesthetised for treatment of hindlimb synovial sepsis.. Equine Vet J 2021;53:682–689.
  35. Krein SR, Lindsey JC, Blaze CA, Wetmore LA. Evaluation of risk factors, including fluconazole administration, for prolonged anesthetic recovery times in horses undergoing general anesthesia for ocular surgery: 81 cases (2006–2013).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2014;244:577–581.
  36. Curto EM, Griffith EH, Posner LP, Walsh KT, Balko JA, Gilger BC. Factors associated with postoperative complications in healthy horses after general anesthesia for ophthalmic versus non‐ophthalmic procedures: 556 cases (2012–2014).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2018;252:1113–1119.
  37. Loomes K, Louro LF. Recovery of horses from general anaesthesia: a systematic review (2000–2020) of the influence of anaesthetic protocol on recovery quality.. Equine Vet J 2022;54:219–261.
  38. Torres‐González MI, Manzano‐Moreno FJ, Vallecillo‐Capilla MF, Olmedo‐Gaya MV. Preoperative oral pregabalin for anxiety control: a systematic review.. Clin Oral Investig 2020;24:2219–2228.
  39. Gupta P, Saxena A, Chaudhary L. Effect of pregabalin premedication on the requirement of anesthetic and analgesic drugs in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: randomized comparison of two doses.. Anesth Essays Res 2017;11:330–333.
  40. Gupta K, Bansal P, Gupta PK, Singh YP. Pregabalin premedication—a new treatment option for hemodynamic stability during general anesthesia: a prospective study.. Anesth Essays Res 2011;5:57–62.
  41. Madan RD, Cenani A, Montgomery E, Azevedo T, Vernau KM, Brosnan RJ. Pregabalin produces similar effects as gabapentin for preanesthetic sedation in cats.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2024;262:359–363.
  42. El‐Sherif MW, Mahmoud MA. Clinical anesthetic evaluation of pregabalin as premedication for ketamine‐induced general anesthesia in dogs and cats.. SVU Int J Vet Sci 2024;7:12–24.
  43. Luo L, Chen H, Zhu Y, Wu Y, Guo W, Yang Z. The effect of oral pregabalin on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in cats.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2024;51:391–398.
  44. Gozalo‐Marcilla M, Ringer SK. Recovery after general anaesthesia in adult horses: a structured summary of the literature.. Animals 2021;11:1777.
  45. Suthers JM, Christley RM, Clutton RE. Quantitative and qualitative comparison of three scoring systems for assessing recovery quality after general anaesthesia in horses.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2011;38:352–362.
  46. Vettorato E, Chase‐Topping ME, Clutton RE. A comparison of four systems for scoring recovery quality after general anaesthesia in horses.. Equine Vet J 2010;42:400–406.
  47. Scarabelli S, Rioja E. Retrospective evaluation of correlation and agreement between two recovery scoring systems in horses.. Vet Rec 2018;182:169.

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.