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Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire2011; 75(1); 35-41;

Sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of buprenorphine and xylazine in horses.

Abstract: This study investigated the sedative, cardiopulmonary, and gastrointestinal effects produced by buprenorphine and xylazine given in combination to horses. Six healthy adult horses underwent 4 randomized treatments, with an interval of 1 wk between treatments. A control group was given a saline solution intravenously (IV) and the experimental groups received buprenorphine [10 μg/kg bodyweight (BW)] in combination with 1 of 3 different doses of xylazine: 0.25 mg/kg BW (BX25), 0.50 mg/kg BW (BX50), or 0.75 mg/kg BW (BX75), all of them by IV. Cardiopulmonary parameters were evaluated for 120 min after the drugs were administered and intestinal motility was observed for 12 h after treatment. Sedation was found to be dose-dependent in all groups receiving buprenorphine and xylazine and it was observed that the heart rate decreased in the first 5 min and increased at the end of the sedation period. Arterial blood gas tension analyses showed minimal alterations during the experiment. Gastrointestinal hypomotility was observed for up to 8 h. The combination of buprenorphine and 0.50 mg/kg BW of xylazine (BX50) provided a 30-minute period of sedation without intense ataxia and maintained cardiopulmonary parameters within acceptable limits for the species. Cette étude avait comme objectif d’examiné les effets sédatifs, cardio-pulmonaires et gastro-intestinaux d’une combinaison de buprénorphine et de la xylazine administrée à des chevaux. Six chevaux adultes en santé ont été soumis aléatoirement à 4 traitements, avec un intervalle de 1 semaine entre les traitements. Un groupe témoin a reçu de la saline par voie intraveineuse (IV) et les groupes témoins recevaient IV de la buprénorphine [10 μg/kg de poids corporel (BW)] combinée avec 1 des 3 différents dosages de xylazine : 0,25 mg/kg BW (BX25), 0,50 mg/kg BW (BX50) ou 0,75 mg/kg BW (BX75). Les paramètres cardio-pulmonaires ont été évalués pour 120 min suite à l’administration des drogues et la motilité intestinale a été observée pour les 12 h qui suivaient le traitement. On observa que la sédation était dose-dépendante dans tous les groupes recevant de la buprénorphine et xylazine, et il a été noté que le rythme cardiaque diminuait au cours des 5 premières minutes et augmentait à la fine de la période de sédation. Les analyses de la tension des gaz sanguins artériels n’ont montré que des altérations minimes au cours de l’expérience. L’hypomotilité gastro-intestinale a été observée pour une période allant jusqu’à 8 h. La combinaison BX50 a induit une période 30 minutes de sédation sans ataxie intense et les paramètres cardio-pulmonaires se sont maintenus à l’intérieur des limites acceptables pour cette espèce. (Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier)
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Publication Date: 2011-04-05 PubMed ID: 21461193PubMed Central: PMC3003560
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

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 investigates the effects of administering a combination of buprenorphine and xylazine to horses, examining its impact on sedative, cardiopulmonary and gastrointestinal functions.

Study Methodology and Design

  • The research was conducted on six healthy adult horses, which were subjected to four randomized treatments over four weeks, a week apart.
  • One group acted as a control and was given a saline solution intravenously (IV). The remaining groups were all administered buprenorphine [10 μg/kg bodyweight (BW)] in combination with xylazine at varying doses: 0.25 mg/kg BW (BX25), 0.50 mg/kg BW (BX50), or 0.75 mg/kg BW (BX75). All doses were administered intravenously.

Findings and Observations

  • After administering the drugs, cardiopulmonary parameters were evaluated for a duration of 120 minutes, and intestinal motility was observed for 12 hours following treatment.
  • Results indicated that sedation was dose-dependent in all groups that were administered a combination of xylazine and buprenorphine.
  • The heart rate of the horses decreased during the first five minutes post-administration and increased towards the end of the sedation period.
  • Minimal alterations were noted in arterial blood gas tension analyses during the experimental process.
  • Gastrointestinal hypomotility, or slowed movement of the stomach and intestinal muscles, was observed for up to 8 hours following administration of the drugs.
  • The combination of buprenorphine and 0.50 mg/kg BW of xylazine (BX50) provided a 30-minute period of sedation without intense ataxia, or loss of control of body movements, and maintained cardiopulmonary parameters within the acceptable range for horses.

In conclusion, the research suggests that the combination of buprenorphine and xylazine at appropriate concentrations may offer a viable sedative option for horses, providing a moderate amount of sedation while maintaining acceptable cardiopulmonary function. The study data also suggests potential gastrointestinal effects that warrant further study.

Cite This Article

APA
Cruz FS, Carregaro AB, Machado M, Antonow RR. (2011). Sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of buprenorphine and xylazine in horses. Can J Vet Res, 75(1), 35-41.

Publication

Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire
ISSN: 1928-9022
NlmUniqueID: 8607793
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 75
Issue: 1
Pages: 35-41

Researcher Affiliations

Cruz, Fernando S F
  • Department of Zootechnical Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil.
Carregaro, Adriano B
    Machado, Melissa
      Antonow, Rômulo R

        MeSH Terms

        • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists / administration & dosage
        • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists / pharmacology
        • Analgesics, Opioid / administration & dosage
        • Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacology
        • Animals
        • Blood Gas Analysis / veterinary
        • Bradycardia / chemically induced
        • Bradycardia / veterinary
        • Buprenorphine / administration & dosage
        • Buprenorphine / pharmacology
        • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
        • Drug Administration Schedule / veterinary
        • Drug Therapy, Combination / veterinary
        • Female
        • Gastrointestinal Motility / drug effects
        • Heart Rate / drug effects
        • Horses
        • Hypnotics and Sedatives / administration & dosage
        • Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology
        • Male
        • Respiratory Rate / drug effects
        • Time
        • Xylazine / administration & dosage
        • Xylazine / pharmacology

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