Detomidine (Domosedan) in foals: sedative and analgesic effects.
Detomidine was administered twice to six foals (14 to 94 days old) using three different doses (10, 20 and 40 micrograms/kg bodyweight intravenously) in a double blind trial. Sedation, analgesia, heart rate and clinically observed side-effects were recorded. Detomidine showed strong sedative effects at all doses tested. Sedation deepened very little by increasing the dose from 10 to 40 micrograms/kg bodyweight, but the duration of the effect was longer. Analgesia was considered good with the largest dose (40 micrograms/kg), and moderate or non-existent with the lower doses. Detomidine caused a decrease in heart rate at all doses and other observed side-effects included ataxia, heavy breathing, arrhythmia, sweating and frequent urination. No adverse effects were observed.
Oijala
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hautjärvi, Finland.
Katila
T
T
D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male
D000700:Analgesics; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D007093:Imidazoles; C041255:detomidine