Antinociceptive, sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of subarachnoid and epidural xylazine-lidocaine in xylazine-sedated calves

ObjectiveTo evaluate the antinociceptive, sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of subarachnoid and epidural administration of xylazine-lidocaine in xylazine-sedated calves.Study designProspective, crossover study.AnimalsSix clinically healthy Holstein calves.MaterialsThe calves were allocated randomly to receive two treatments, subarachnoid or epidural xylazine (0.025 mg kg^?1)–lidocaine (0.1 mg kg^?1) diluted to a total volume of 5 mL with physiological saline. Prior to either epidural or subarachnoid injection, sedation was induced in all calves by intravenous administration of 0.1 mg kg^?1 xylazine. The quality and duration of antinociception and sedation were monitored. Areas of the cranial abdomen, umbilicus, and caudal abdomen were evaluated for antinociception using pinprick tests with a scoring system of 0–3 (0, none; 1, mild; 2, moderate; 3, complete). Sedation was assessed by using a 4-point scale (0, none; 1, mild; 2, moderate; 3, deep). The following cardiopulmonary variables were monitored: heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (f_R), mean arterial pressure (MAP), blood pH, arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂), bicarbonate (HCO₃), base excess (BE), and oxygen saturation (SaO₂).ResultsXylazine sedation and subarachnoid xylazine-lidocaine resulted in significantly higher nociceptive block than the epidural technique. Moreover, subarachnoid xylazine-lidocaine induced a significantly longer duration of complete antinociception (median [IQR]) in the cranial abdomen (15.0 [15.0–30.0] versus 7.5 [1.3–10.0] minutes; p < 0.05) and umbilicus (45.0 [32.5–57.5] versus 10.0 [6.3–17.5] minutes; p < 0.05) compared with epidural xylazine-lidocaine. There was moderate sedation with both techniques. In both treatments, blood pH, MAP and PaO₂ decreased significantly, and PaCO₂ increased significantly during anaesthesia. No change was evident in HR, f_R, HCO_3, BE, or SaO₂.Conclusion and clinical relevanceThe subarachnoid injection provided better quality and longer duration of antinociception than epidural administration of the same doses of xylazine-lidocaine in xylazine-sedated calves, while cardiopulmonary depressant effects were observed with both regimens.     

Sedative effects of two doses of alfaxalone in combination with methadone and a low dose of dexmedetomidine in healthy Beagles

ObjectiveTo evaluate the sedative effects of two doses of alfaxalone when added to a combination of dexmedetomidine and methadone injected intramuscularly (IM) in healthy Beagles.Study designRandomized, blinded, crossover, experimental study.AnimalsA group of six adult Beagles.MethodsDogs were sedated on three different occasions with IM dexmedetomidine (3 μg kg^–1) and methadone (0.3 mg kg^–1) combined with two doses of alfaxalone (0.5 and 1 mg kg^–1; A0.5 and A1, respectively) or saline (A0). Quality of sedation, response to tail clamping and rectal temperature were recorded at baseline, 5, 15, 25, 35 and 45 minutes. Pulse and respiratory rates, oxygen saturation of haemoglobin (SpO₂) and noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) were recorded every 5 minutes. Onset of sedation and duration of recumbency, response to venous catheterization and recovery quality were assessed. Physiological variables (analysis of variance) were analysed between treatments and within treatments compared with baseline (Student t test). Nonparametric data were analysed using Friedman and Cochran’s Q tests. Significance was p < 0.05.ResultsSedation scores were significantly higher when alfaxalone was co-administered (area under the curve; p = 0.024, A0.5; p = 0.019, A1), with no differences between doses. Onset of sedation was similar, but duration of recumbency was longer in A0.5 than in A0 [median (minimum–maximum), 43 (35–54) versus 30 (20–47) minutes, p = 0.018], but not in A1. Response to venous catheterization and tail clamping, and quality of recovery (acceptable) presented no differences between treatments. A decrease in all physiological variables (compared with baseline) was observed, except for NIBP, with no differences between treatments. All dogs required oxygen supplementation due to reduced SpO₂.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAdding alfaxalone to methadone and dexmedetomidine enhanced sedation and duration of recumbency. Although cardiopulmonary depression was limited, oxygen supplementation is advisable.     

The sedative effects of low-dose medetomidine and butorphanol alone and in combination intravenously in dogs

ObjectiveTo evaluate the sedative effects of intravenous (IV) medetomidine (1 μg kg^?1) and butorphanol (0.1 mg kg^?1) alone and in combination in dogs.Study designProspective, blinded, randomized clinical trial.AnimalsSixty healthy (American Society of Anesthesiologists I) dogs, aged 6.2 ± 3.2 years and body mass 26 ± 12.5 kg.MethodsDogs were assigned to four groups: Group S (sodium chloride 0.9% IV), Group B (butorphanol IV), Group M (medetomidine IV) and Group MB (medetomidine and butorphanol IV). The same clinician assessed sedation before and 12 minutes after administration using a numerical scoring system in which 19 represented maximum sedation. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, pulse quality, capillary refill time and rectal temperature were recorded after each sedation score assessment. Sedation scores, sedation score difference (score after minus score before administration) and patient variables were compared using one-way anova for normally distributed variables and Kruskal–Wallis test for variables with skewed distributions and/or unequal variances. Where significance was found, further evaluation used Bonferroni multiple comparisons for pair-wise testing.ResultsBreed, sex, neuter status, age and body mass did not differ between groups. Sedation scores before substance administration were similar between groups (p = 0.2). Sedation scores after sedation were significantly higher in Group MB (mean 9.5 ± SD 5.5) than in group S (2.5 ± 1.8) (p < 0.001), group M (3.1 ± 2.5) (p < 0.001) and group B (3.7 ± 2.0) (p = 0.003). Sedation score difference was significantly higher in Group MB [7 (0–13)] than in Group S [0 (?1 to 4)] (p < 0.001) and Group M [0 (0–6)] (p < 0.001). HR decreased significantly in Groups M and MB compared with Group S (p < 0.05).Conclusion and clinical relevanceLow-dose medetomidine 1 μg kg^?1 IV combined with butorphanol 0.1 mg kg^?1 IV produced more sedation than medetomidine or butorphanol alone. HR was significantly decreased in both medetomidine groups.     

左旋芳樟醇及其两种复方精油的催眠镇静作用

探讨左旋芳樟醇及其两种复方精油(1号复方精油配方:左旋芳樟醇∶薰衣草精油∶依兰依兰油∶柏木油=1∶2∶4∶3,2号复方精油配方:左旋芳樟醇∶薰衣草精油∶依兰依兰油∶柏木油=5∶3∶1∶1)对小鼠的催眠镇静作用,研究精油对小鼠自主活动、阈上剂量戊巴比妥钠致小鼠睡眠潜伏期和睡眠时间、阈下剂量戊巴比妥钠致小鼠睡眠只数的影响.结果表明:3种精油对小鼠均有明显的催眠镇静作用,其中以浓度为10-3的2号复方精油的效果最佳;在小鼠自主活动能力测试中,2号复方精油组小鼠的总路程与对照组的差异极显著(P0.01),休息时间、活动时间、活跃度、中间区域时间和中央区域路程与对照组的差异显著(P0.05);与对照组相比较,2号复方精油极显著缩短小鼠睡眠潜伏期(P0.01),从(18.47±2.04)s缩短到(14.13±1.73)s,极显著延长小鼠睡眠时间(P0.01),从(27.01±5.84)s延长到(40.41±8.36)s,增加小鼠睡眠只数(P0.01),从1只增加到7只.可见,左旋芳樟醇及其两种复方精油具有明显的催眠镇静作用,以2号复方精油的效果最佳.     

Development of a xylazine constant rate infusion with or without butorphanol for standing sedation of horses

ObjectiveTo elaborate constant rate infusion (CRI) protocols for xylazine (X) and xylazine/butorphanol (XB) which will result in constant sedation and steady xylazine plasma concentrations.Study designBlinded randomized experimental study.AnimalsTen adult research horses.MethodsPart I: After normal height of head above ground (HHAG = 100%) was determined, a loading dose of xylazine (1 mg kg^?1) with butorphanol (XB: 18 μg kg^?1) or saline (X: equal volume) was given slowly intravenously (IV). Immediately afterwards, a CRI of butorphanol (XB: 25 μg kg^?1 hour^?1) or saline (X) was administered for 2 hours. The HHAG was used as a marker of depth of sedation. Sedation was maintained for 2 hours by additional boluses of xylazine (0.3 mg kg^?1) whenever HHAG >50%. The dose of xylazine (mg kg^?1 hour^?1) required to maintain sedation was calculated for both groups. Part II: After the initial loading dose, the calculated xylazine infusion rates were administered in parallel to butorphanol (XB) or saline (X) and sedation evaluated. Xylazine plasma concentrations were measured by HPLC-MS-MS at time points 0, 5, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes. Data were analyzed using paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and a 2-way anova for repeated measures (p < 0.05).ResultsThere was no significant difference in xylazine requirements (X: 0.69, XB: 0.65 mg kg^?1 hour^?1) between groups. With treatment X, a CRI leading to prolonged sedation was developed. With XB, five horses (part I: two, part II: three) fell down and during part II four horses appeared insufficiently sedated. Xylazine plasma concentrations were constant after 45 minutes in both groups.ConclusionXylazine bolus, followed by CRI, provided constant sedation. Additional butorphanol was ineffective in reducing xylazine requirements and increased ataxia and apparent early recovery from sedation in unstimulated horses.Clinical relevanceData were obtained on unstimulated healthy horses and extrapolation to clinical conditions requires caution.     

Immobilization of Norwegian reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) and Svalbard Reindeer (R. t. platyrhynchus) with medetomidine and medetomidine-ketamine and reversal of immobilization with atipamezole

The sedative action of medetomidine (-ketamine) was studied in 12 captive Norwegian semidomesticated reindeer (NR), including 4 newborn calves, and in 7 free-living Svalbard reindeer (SR). Medetomidine, with or without ketamine, caused effective, reliable immobilization in NR. Doses of 50-200 micrograms/kg medetomidine alone or 30-125 micrograms/kg medetomidine combined with greater than or equal to 300 micrograms/kg ketamine induced complete immobilization, good muscle relaxation and persistent, deep sedation with little respiratory depression in NR; SR required higher doses. Atipamezole successfully antagonized medetomidine (-ketamine) resulting in rapid and persistent reversal of immobilization in all cases (NR and SR). Both medetomidine and atipamezole had wide safety margins and no conspicuous lasting side effects after reversal.     

Effects of propofol-induced sedation on intradermal test reactions in dogs with atopic dermatitis

We compared the effect of propofol and saline control on intradermal test reactions in dogs with atopic dermatitis undergoing outpatient intradermal testing (IDT). Nineteen dogs were used in this clinical study. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either intravenous (IV) propofol or IV 0.9% saline, and IDT was performed on the right or left (randomized) lateral thorax. One investigator, unaware of the treatments, interpreted all IDT results. Injection sites were analysed using a subjective and objective method. A value of P or= 1+ on all dogs, significantly more positive sites were apparent during propofol sedation than during saline administration. In addition, the greater number of individual dogs experiencing more positive reactions >or= 1+ during propofol sedation was significant. When subjectively analysing reactions >or= 2+, the greater number of positive reactions and the greater number of dogs with more positive reactions observed during propofol treatment was not significantly different from the saline control. When analysed objectively, the greater number of positive reactions observed during propofol sedation was not significant. A greater number of dogs had higher subjective scores and larger objective measurements during propofol sedation compared with saline administration. In summary, propofol sedation was associated with an overall greater number of positive IDT reactions compared with the saline control. Although not always significant, this difference should be considered when choosing propofol for skin testing dogs with atopic dermatitis.     

Potential benefit of clove oil sedation on animal welfare during salmon smolt, Salmo salar L. transport and transfer to sea

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of clove oil (4.0 mg L⁻¹) sedation, compared with non-sedation, on the primary (plasma cortisol), secondary (osmoregulation) and tertiary (mortality) stress responses in Atlantic salmon smolts during transport and transfer to sea. Clove oil sedation during on- and off-loading sufficiently reduced the primary stress response to lower mortality (2.1%) during transfer to sea compared with unsedated fish, which experienced a mortality rate above 12.2%. The unsedated fish experienced an acute mortality that stabilized only 6 days after the transport. None of the secondary stress responses measured in this experiment could contribute towards explaining this phenomenon, with the possible exception of plasma magnesium (Mg²⁺). Plasma Mg²⁺ differed between the groups; while plasma Mg²⁺ in the clove oil sedated group returned to pre-stress levels 72 h after transport, the unsedated group showed no such recovery even 1 week after transport, which may indicate a disturbance in the hydromineral balance, and provides a plausible explanation for the delayed mortality in this group. Eugenol-based anaesthetics appear to be promising as a stress-reducing sedative for Atlantic salmon smolts, and, if used properly, this chemical could improve animal welfare and survivability during and after common aquaculture-related incidents.     

The suitability of medetomidine sedation for intradermal skin testing in dogs

The objective of this study was to determine the suitability of medetomidine sedation for facilitating intradermal skin testing in dogs. Quality of sedation and immobilization, and effects of sedation on responses to intradermally injected histamine were evaluated. Ten clinically normal dogs were injected intradermally before and after medetomidine sedation (10 μg kg^?1 intravenously) with diminishing concentrations of histamine (100–10^?5μg mL^?1) and a negative control. Mean wheal responses at injection sites were compared before and during sedation, and no significant suppression of responses occurred during sedation. Medetomidine produced sedation that notably increased the ease of performing multiple intradermal injections in all dogs and sedative effects were rapidly reversed by the antagonist atipamezole. It was concluded that medetomidine may be an excellent sedative for facilitating intradermal skin testing in dogs provided further studies similarly reveal no inhibition of responses to intradermally injected allergens in atopic dogs.