Systemic effects of topical and subconjunctival ophthalmic atropine in the horse.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To identify any systemic effects of topical and subconjunctival administration of atropine sulfate in the horse. Animals studied Six mature grade horses were treated hourly in one eye with topical ophthalmic atropine drops for 24 h. Five horses were treated subconjunctivally in one eye with 3 mg of atropine sulfate. Procedures Pupillary light reflexes, pupil size, electrocardiographic parameters, girth measurements, intestinal motility, and clinical signs of abdominal pain were monitored. RESULTS: Alteration in auscultated gut motility and clinical signs of abdominal pain were the most sensitive indicators of the systemic manifestations of the topically applied atropine. Gut motility was absent in all horses for periods of 2-18 h in all four abdominal quadrants in horses given topically administered atropine. Signs of abdominal pain were observed in four of six horses that received topical atropine. In the subconjunctival test study, gut motility was absent in three horses for periods of 3-7 h. Uniocular subconjunctival injection of 3 mg atropine sulfate produced signs of abdominal pain in one of six horses. Conclusion The ophthalmic administration of atropine can affect gut motility and induce signs of colic in selected horses.
Publication Date: 2001-06-09 PubMed ID: 11397302DOI: 10.1046/j.1463-5224.2000.00118.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the systemic effects of atropine sulfate, administered topically and subconjunctivally, on horses. The findings reveal that this treatment can affect gut motility and may induce signs of colic.
Objective of Study
- This research study aimed to understand the possible systemic effects when horses are dosed with atropine sulfate, either topically or through a subconjunctival administration. Both methods involve application in the eye. The study involved mature grade horses, which received atropine treatment at different intervals and dosages.
Procedures and Measures
- The study monitored various physiological parameters, such as pupillary light reflexes, pupil size, electrocardiographic parameters, girth measurements, and intestinal motility. Importantly, the study also kept track of clinical signs of abdominal pain.
Results
- The results showed significant altercations in the gut motility of the treated horses. All horses showed decreased gut motility, lasting between 2 and 18 hours when treated with topically administered atropine. In contrast, gut motility was absent in three horses for periods of 3-7 h in the subconjunctival test study.
- Additionally, signs of abdominal pain were also observed. Four out of six horses showed signs of discomfort or distress, suggestive of abdominal pain, when treated with topical atropine. In contrast, only one out of five horses exhibited signs of abdominal pain following a subconjunctival injection with atropine.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that the use of atropine in ophthalmic treatments could have additional, unforeseen effects on horses. Particularly, administering atropine can impact gut motility and may induce signs of colic in horses, which points to the importance of systemic monitoring when such treatments are applied to equine patients.
Cite This Article
APA
Williams MM, Spiess BM, Pascoe PJ, O'Grady M.
(2001).
Systemic effects of topical and subconjunctival ophthalmic atropine in the horse.
Vet Ophthalmol, 3(2-3), 193-199.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1463-5224.2000.00118.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Toronto Yorke, Veterinary Ophthalmologists, 14834 Yonge Street, Aurora, Ontario L4G 1N2, Canada; Department of Veterinary Surgery, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Surgical & Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95616-8742, USA; Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Jodzio D, DeNotta S, Plummer C, Sanchez C. Pain scoring systems in hospitalized horses with ocular disease. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Jan-Feb;38(1):388-397.
- Ekstrand C, Michanek P, Gehring R, Sundell A, Källse A, Hedeland M, Ström L. Plasma atropine concentrations associated with decreased intestinal motility in horses. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:951300.
- Ström L, Dalin F, Domberg M, Stenlund C, Bondesson U, Hedeland M, Toutain PL, Ekstrand C. Topical ophthalmic atropine in horses, pharmacokinetics and effect on intestinal motility. BMC Vet Res 2021 Apr 7;17(1):149.
- Seo KY, Kim CY, Lee JH, Lee JB, Kim EK. Amniotic membrane transplantation for necrotising conjunctival ulceration following subconjunctival atropine injection. Br J Ophthalmol 2002 Nov;86(11):1316-7.
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