The use of sedatives, analgesic and anaesthetic drugs in the horse: an electronic survey of members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).
Abstract: To determine the sedative, analgesic and anaesthetic drugs and techniques that are used by equine veterinarians. HYPOTHESIS OR OBJECTIVES: To provide equine veterinarians with information concerning veterinary use of anaesthetic techniques, a reflection of the collective experiences of the profession. Methods: A survey was conducted of those members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) with an electronic mail address on file with the organisation using proprietary, web-based software. The survey was comprised of 30 questions divided into 8 sections: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; local anaesthesia; alternative techniques; standing chemical restraint; epidural anaesthesia; short-term anaesthesia; long-term anaesthesia; and a place for the respondent to make comments. Results: The response rate was 13.8% (952/6911) AAEP member veterinarians primarily use phenylbutazone and flunixin as anti-inflammatory drugs, and lidocaine and mepivacaine for local anaesthesia. Combinations of drugs are preferred for standing chemical restraint. While many veterinarians frequently utilise short-term anaesthesia, longer anaesthesia is less frequently performed. Conclusions: Most AAEP member veterinarians use sedatives in combination to provide standing chemical restraint. Extra-label use of drugs is a core component of current equine sedation and anaesthetic practice. Conclusions: Equine veterinarians can compare their choices of anaesthetic drugs with others practising equine medicine and surgery and may be stimulated to investigate alternative methods of providing comfort to horses.
Publication Date: 2010-08-19 PubMed ID: 20716187DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00104.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The paper is a summary of a survey conducted to understand the use of sedative, analgesic, and anaesthetic drugs by veterinarians treating horses. It found that most equine vets use combinations of these drugs for procedural restraint, and extra-label use of drugs is common. It offers a comparison of different anesthetic choices and encourages the exploration of alternative methods.
Methods
- The survey was conducted among the members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) who have an email address registered with the organization.
- Proprietary web-based software was used to distribute the survey.
- The survey consisted of 30 questions divided into 8 sections relating to various aspects of anesthetic and pain-relief drugs and their applications in equine practice.
Results
- The survey received a response rate of 13.8% from AAEP member veterinarians.
- Most vets mainly use phenylbutazone and flunixin as anti-inflammatory drugs, and lidocaine and mepivacaine for local anesthesia.
- When it comes to standing chemical restraint, combinations of drugs are usually preferred.
- Short-term anesthesia is widely used among equine vets, whereas longer anesthesia is less commonly performed.
Conclusions
- Most AAEP member veterinarians use sedatives in combination to provide standing chemical restraint.
- The study indicated that the extra-label use of drugs is regularly employed in equine sedation and anesthesia practice.
- By comparing their choice of anesthesia drug with others practicing equine medicine and surgery, equine veterinarians can potentially be stimulated towards exploring alternative methods of providing comfort to horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Hubbell JA, Saville WJ, Bednarski RM.
(2010).
The use of sedatives, analgesic and anaesthetic drugs in the horse: an electronic survey of members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).
Equine Vet J, 42(6), 487-493.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00104.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, USA. john.hubbell@cvm.osu.edu
MeSH Terms
- Analgesics / therapeutic use
- Anesthetics / therapeutic use
- Animals
- Data Collection
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horses
- Hypnotics and Sedatives / therapeutic use
- Pain / drug therapy
- Pain / veterinary
- Societies / organization & administration
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- United States
- Veterinarians
- Veterinary Medicine / organization & administration
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Adler DMT, Jørgensen E, Cornett C. The concentration of lidocaine and mepivacaine measured in synovial fluid of different joints of horses after single intra-articular injection. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:1007399.
- Aarnes TK, Lerche P, Bednarski RM, Hubbell JAE. Total intravenous anesthesia using a midazolam-ketamine-xylazine infusion in horses: 46 cases (2011-2014). Can Vet J 2018 May;59(5):500-504.
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