Responses of horses to acepromazine maleate administered orally in a paste.
Abstract: The effects of acepromazine maleate (ACP), given orally in a paste form, were examined in six standard-bred geldings over a 12 hour period. Three dose rates, zero (placebo paste), 0.13 mg kg-1 and 0.26 mg kg-1, given before or after feeding, were investigated. The data were divided into two sampling periods for analysis, one from zero to 120 minutes and the other from four to 12 hours. Sedation was assessed by a score (TS score) based on general appearance, anal sphincter relaxation and penile protrusion. This TS score was significantly elevated 40 minutes after dosing with ACP, irrespective of whether the horses had been fed or not. Dose rate had no significant effect on TS in the zero to 120 minute sampling period, but the TS score was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher at the higher dose rate in the four to 12 hour period. At both dose rates, the TS scores were still significantly higher than their pretreatment values 12 hours after dosing. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), measured indirectly from the coccygeal artery, haematocrit (PCV) and total plasma protein concentration (TPP) were also examined. ACP caused significant falls in SBP and PCV, but the effect was complicated by feeding. ACP given after feeding had a reduced effect on SBP and PCV. Feeding appeared to cause a rise then a fall in PCV and TPP which was superimposed upon the fall caused by ACP. There was no difference between the two dose rates of ACP on SBP and PCV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1987-05-01 PubMed ID: 3616147
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research examines the impacts of oral intake of a drug named acepromazine maleate in horses, regardless of feeding times. It was observed that the drug led to significant sedation in horses and caused some fluctuations in their blood pressure and other bodily functions.
Study Design and Dose Rates
- The study was conducted on six standard-bred geldings (male horses).
- Acepromazine maleate (ACP) was administered in three different dose rates: zero (placebo paste), 0.13 mg kg-1, and 0.26 mg kg-1, both before and after feeding.
- The research data was divided into two assessment periods: One from zero to 120 minutes (the immediate impact) and the other from four to 12 hours (the longer-term impact).
- Sedation was measured using a score based on the horse’s general appearance, relaxation of the anal sphincter, and protrusion of the penis – the TS score.
- The TS score significantly increased 40 minutes after dosing, regardless of whether it was given before or after feeding.
- While the dose rate didn’t significantly affect the TS score in the immediate response period, the higher dose rate resulted in a significantly higher TS score during the longer-term assessment period.
- After 12 hours, the TS scores remained significantly higher than their initial pretreatment levels, irrespective of the dose rate.
- In addition to evaluating sedation, the study also tracked systolic blood pressure (SBP), haematocrit (PCV, the ratio of volume of red blood cells to total volume of blood), and total plasma protein concentration (TPP).
- ACP administration resulted in significant drops in SBP and PCV, but the impact varied based on feeding times.
- When ACP was given after feeding, the effects on SBP and PCV were diminished.
- Horses exhibited a pattern of an initial rise and then a decrease in PCV and TPP following feeding, which was further amplified by ACP administration.
- There was no difference in the impact on SBP and PCV between the two ACP dose rates.
Sedation Assessment and Findings
Additional Health Observations
Cite This Article
APA
Miller PJ, Martin IC, Kohnke JR, Rose RJ.
(1987).
Responses of horses to acepromazine maleate administered orally in a paste.
Res Vet Sci, 42(3), 318-325.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Acepromazine / administration & dosage
- Acepromazine / pharmacology
- Administration, Oral
- Analysis of Variance
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Blood Pressure / drug effects
- Blood Proteins / analysis
- Hematocrit / veterinary
- Horses / blood
- Horses / physiology
- Hypnotics and Sedatives / administration & dosage
- Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology
- Male
- Ointments
- Tranquilizing Agents / administration & dosage
- Tranquilizing Agents / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Pequito M, Amory H, de Moffarts B, Busoni V, Serteyn D, Sandersen C. Evaluation of acepromazine-induced hemodynamic alterations and reversal with norepinephrine infusion in standing horses. Can Vet J 2013 Feb;54(2):150-6.
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