The effects of xylazine, detomidine, acepromazine and butorphanol on equine solid phase gastric emptying rate

Sutton, D.G.M. , Preston, T., Christley, R.M., Cohen, N.D., Love, S. and Roussel, A.J. (2002) The effects of xylazine, detomidine, acepromazine and butorphanol on equine solid phase gastric emptying rate. Equine Veterinary Journal, 34(5), pp. 486-492. (doi: 10.2746/042516402776117818)

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 C-13-octanoic acid breath test (C13-OABT). The gastric emptying of a standard C-13-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 C-13:C-12 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.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Preston, Professor Tom and Sutton, Professor David and Love, Professor Sandy
• Authors: Sutton, D.G.M., Preston, T., Christley, R.M., Cohen, N.D., Love, S., and Roussel, A.J.
• Subjects: Q Science > QL Zoology
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Equine Veterinary Journal
• Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
• ISSN: 0425-1644
• ISSN (Online): 2042-3306
• Published Online: 05 January 2010
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2002 Blackwell Publishing
• First Published: First published in Equine Veterinary Journal 34(5):486-492
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher