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The effects of xylazine, detomidine, acepromazine and butorphanol on equine solid phase gastric emptying rate.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to measure the effects of specific commonly used sedative protocols on equine solid phase gastric emptying rate, using the 13C-octanoic acid breath test (13C-OABT). The gastric emptying of a standard 13C-labelled test meal was measured once weekly in 8 mature horses over two 4 week treatment periods. Each horse acted as its own control. In treatment Period 1, saline (2 ml i.v.), xylazine (0.5 mg/kg i.v.), detomidine (0.01 mg/kg i.v.) or detomidine/butorphanol combination (0.01/0.02 mg/kg i.v.) was administered in randomised order after ingestion of the test meal. During treatment Period 2, test meal consumption was followed by saline, xylazine (1.0 mg/kg i.v.), or detomidine (0.03 mg/kg i.v.) administration, or preceded by acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg i.m.) in randomised order. The 13C:12C ratio of sequential expiratory breath samples was determined by isotope ratio mass spectrometry, and used to measure the gastric half-emptying time, t 1/2, and duration of the lag phase, t lag, for each of the 64 tests. In treatment Period 1, detomidine/butorphanol prolonged both t 1/2 and t lag with respect to xylazine 0.5 mg/kg and the saline control (P < 0.05). In Period 2, detomidine 0.03 mg/kg delayed each parameter with respect to saline, acepromazine and xylazine 1.0 mg/kg (P < 0.001). Xylazine 1.0 mg/kg also lengthened t lag relative to the saline control (P = 0.0004), but did not cause a significant change in t 1/2. Comparison of treatment periods showed that the inhibitory effect of detomidine on gastric emptying rate was dose related (P<0.05). These findings may have clinical significance for case selection when these agents are used for purposes of sedation and/or analgesia.
Publication Date: 2002-10-03 PubMed ID: 12358052DOI: 10.2746/042516402776117818Google 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.
- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
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.
This research investigates how specific sedatives used in equine medicine affect the rate at which a horse’s stomach empties. It was found that some sedatives, like detomidine and a detomidine/butorphanol mix, slowed down gastric emptying, which could impact when and how these drugs are used for equine sedation and analgesia.
Methodology and Experimental Procedure
- Eight mature horses underwent a series of tests each week over two treatment periods that spanned four weeks each.
- The horses were given a standard 13C-labelled test meal, and the time it took for their stomachs to empty was measured using a 13C-octanoic acid breath test (13C-OABT).
- In the first treatment period, each horse was given either saline, xylazine, detomidine, or a combination of detomidine and butorphanol after ingesting the test meal. The order in which each treatment was administered was randomized.
- In the second treatment period, the horses were given saline, xylazine, or detomidine following meal consumption. Some horses were also given acepromazine before the meal. The treatment order was also randomized in this period.
- The 13C:12C ratio in expiratory breath samples was measured using isotope ratio mass spectrometry. This was used to determine the gastric half-emptying time and the duration of the lag phase for each of the 64 tests.
Key Findings
- In the first treatment period, the detomidine/butorphanol mix prolonged both the half-emptying time and the lag phase compared with both xylazine and the saline control.
- In the second treatment period, detomidine by itself delayed both parameters compared to saline, acepromazine, and higher doses of xylazine.
- Higher doses of xylazine also lengthened the lag phase relative to the saline control, but did not significantly change the half-emptying time.
- The inhibitory effect of detomidine on gastric emptying rate was found to be dose related.
Implications
- The results show that the sedatives detomidine and a detomidine/butorphanol mix can slow down the gastric emptying rate in horses, which may affect their use in equine medicine.
- The dose-related inhibitory effects of detomidine highlight the need for careful dosing when administering this medication.
- These findings may influence case selection when these agents are used for sedation and/or analgesia in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Sutton DG, Preston T, Christley RM, Cohen ND, Love S, Roussel AJ.
(2002).
The effects of xylazine, detomidine, acepromazine and butorphanol on equine solid phase gastric emptying rate.
Equine Vet J, 34(5), 486-492.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516402776117818 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow Veterinary School, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Acepromazine / pharmacology
- Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / pharmacology
- Analgesics / pharmacology
- Animals
- Breath Tests
- Butorphanol / pharmacology
- Caprylates / pharmacokinetics
- Carbon Dioxide / analysis
- Carbon Isotopes
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Gastric Emptying / drug effects
- Gastric Emptying / physiology
- Gastroparesis / veterinary
- Horses
- Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology
- Imidazoles / pharmacology
- Linear Models
- Xylazine / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Guzmán JFC, Gontijo AS, Melgaço ES, Faria SA, Baldi MLC, Sousa LN, Wenceslau RR, Fantini P, Xavier ABDS, Beier SL. Analgesic and Gastrointestinal Effects of Morphine in Equines. Animals (Basel) 2025 Feb 17;15(4).
- Hodgson E, Thirouin M, Narayanan P, Romano TR, Wise J, Bond S. A novel placement method of a calibration-free pH capsule for continuous wireless measurement of intragastric pH in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Jan-Feb;39(1):e17273.
- Guerrero JLS, Brito PHS, Ferreira MA, Arantes JA, Rusch E, Oliveira BVDS, Velasco-Bolaños J, Carregaro AB, Dória RGS. Evaluation of Gastric pH and Gastrin Concentrations in Horses Subjected to General Inhalation Anesthesia in Dorsal Recumbency. Animals (Basel) 2024 Apr 15;14(8).
- Dahan R, Oreff GL, Tatz AJ, Raz T, Britzi M, Kelmer G. Pharmacokinetics of regional limb perfusion using a combination of amikacin and penicillin in standing horses. Can Vet J 2019 Mar;60(3):294-299.
- Fielding CL. Practical Fluid Therapy and Treatment Modalities for Field Conditions for Horses and Foals with Gastrointestinal Problems. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2018 Apr;34(1):155-168.
- Kim I, Cohen ND, Roussel A, Wang N. A two-component nonlinear mixed effects model for longitudinal data, with application to gastric emptying studies. Stat Med 2010 Jul 30;29(17):1839-56.
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