The effects of a loading dose followed by constant rate infusion of xylazine compared with romifidine on sedation, ataxia and response to stimuli in horses.
Abstract: To compare xylazine and romifidine constant rate infusion (CRI) protocols regarding degree of sedation, and effects on postural instability (PI), ataxia during motion (A) and reaction to different stimuli. Methods: Blinded randomized experimental cross-over study. Methods: Ten adult horses. Methods: Degree of sedation was assessed by head height above ground (HHAG). Effects on PI, A and reaction to visual, tactile and acoustic stimulation were assessed by numerical rating scale (NRS) and by visual analogue scale (VAS). After baseline measurements, horses were sedated by intravenous loading doses of xylazine (1 mg kg(-1) ) or romifidine (80 μg kg(-1) ) administered over 3 minutes, immediately followed by a CRI of xylazine (0.69 mg kg(-1 ) hour(-1) ) or romifidine (30 μg kg(-1 ) hour(-1) ) which was administered for 120 minutes. Degree of sedation, PI, A and reaction to the different stimuli were measured at different time points before, during and for one hour after discontinuing drug administration. Data were analysed using two-way repeated measures anova, a Generalized Linear Model and a Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test (p < 0.05). Results: Significant changes over time were seen for all variables. With xylazine HHAG was significantly lower 10 minutes after the loading dose, and higher at 150 and 180 minutes (i.e. after CRI cessation) compared to romifidine. Reaction to acoustic stimulation was significantly more pronounced with xylazine. Reaction to visual stimulation was greater with xylazine at 145 and 175 minutes. PI was consistently but not significantly greater with xylazine during the first 30 minutes. Reaction to touch and A did not differ between treatments. Compared to romifidine, horses were more responsive to metallic noise with xylazine. Conclusions: Time to maximal sedation and to recovery were longer with romifidine than with xylazine. Conclusions: With romifidine sufficient time should be allowed for complete sedation before manipulation.
© 2012 The Authors. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. © 2012 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists.
Publication Date: 2012-10-11 PubMed ID: 23051857DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2012.00784.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study investigates and compares the impacts of two sedatives, xylazine and romifidine, on horses. Attention is paid on assessing the sedative effects, postural instability risks, ataxia, and the animals’ reactions to numerous stimuli.
Methods
- Ten adult horses were involved in the study. The degree of sedation was measured by the height of the horse’s head above the ground.
- The effects of the sedatives on postural instability, ataxia and reactions to visual, tactile and acoustic stimulations were evaluated using a numerical rating scale and visual analogue scale.
- After taking baseline measurements, the horses received intravenous loading doses of either xylazine or romifidine administered over three minutes. The doses were immediately succeeded by a constant rate infusion (CRI) of these drugs, administered over 120 minutes.
- The responses were then observed and recorded at different intervals before, during and one hour after the discontinuation of the drug administration.
- The data collected were assessed using a two-way repeated measures anova, a Generalized Linear Model and a Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test.
Results
- Significant changes were observed over time for all the measured variables.
- Horses given xylazine displayed a lower head height 10 minutes after the loading dose, and higher head height at the 150 and 180 minute marks, compared to those given romifidine.
- Horses given xylazine also exhibited a more noticeable reaction to sound stimuli and displayed greater sensitivity to visual stimulations at the 145 and 175 minute marks.
- Postural instability was more frequently observed with xylazine within the first 30 minutes, though the difference was not statistically significant.
- Touch response and ataxia were comparable between the two groups of horses.
- Horses sedated with xylazine showed greater reaction to metallic noise compared to those treated with romifidine.
Conclusions
- Both the time to maximum sedation and the recovery period were longer in horses given romifidine.
- The researchers concluded that when using romifidine for sedation, practitioners should allow sufficient time for complete sedation before attempting any manipulation of the horse.
Cite This Article
APA
Ringer SK, Portier K, Torgerson PR, Castagno R, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R.
(2012).
The effects of a loading dose followed by constant rate infusion of xylazine compared with romifidine on sedation, ataxia and response to stimuli in horses.
Vet Anaesth Analg, 40(2), 157-165.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2995.2012.00784.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Section of Anaesthesiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland. sringer@vetclinics.uzh.ch
MeSH Terms
- Anesthetics / administration & dosage
- Anesthetics / pharmacology
- Animals
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Drug Therapy, Combination / veterinary
- Female
- Horses
- Hypnotics and Sedatives / administration & dosage
- Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology
- Imidazoles / administration & dosage
- Imidazoles / pharmacology
- Male
- Xylazine / administration & dosage
- Xylazine / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Nannarone S, Giannettoni G, Laurenza C, Giontella A, Moretti G. Methadone or Butorphanol as Pre-Anaesthetic Agents Combined with Romifidine in Horses Undergoing Elective Surgery: Qualitative Assessment of Sedation and Induction.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 31;11(9).
- Troya-Portillo L, López-Sanromán J, Villalba-Orero M, Santiago-Llorente I. Cardiorespiratory, Sedative and Antinociceptive Effects of a Medetomidine Constant Rate Infusion with Morphine, Ketamine or Both.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 13;11(7).
- de Oliveira AR, Gozalo-Marcilla M, Ringer SK, Schauvliege S, Fonseca MW, Esteves Trindade PH, Prospero Puoli Filho JN, Luna SPL. Development and validation of the facial scale (FaceSed) to evaluate sedation in horses.. PLoS One 2021;16(6):e0251909.
- de Oliveira AR, Gozalo-Marcilla M, Ringer SK, Schauvliege S, Fonseca MW, Trindade PHE, Puoli Filho JNP, Luna SPL. Development, Validation, and Reliability of a Sedation Scale in Horses (EquiSed).. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:611729.
- Kim A, Sasaki N, Lee I, Seo JP. Comparison of intraoperative cardiorespiratory and behavioral responses to medetomidine combined with tramadol or butorphanol during standing laparoscopic ovariectomy in horses.. J Vet Med Sci 2021 Apr 9;83(4):643-647.
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