Cardiopulmonary effects of buprenorphine in horses.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of buprenorphine on cardiopulmonary variables and on abdominal auscultation scores in horses.


METHODS
6 healthy adult horses.


METHODS
Horses were restrained in stocks and allocated to 2 treatments in a randomized crossover design, with 1-week intervals between each treatment. Saline (0.9% NaCl) solution was administered IV as a control, whereas buprenorphine (10 mug/kg, IV) was administered to the experimental group. Cardiopulmonary data were collected for 120 minutes after buprenorphine or saline solution administration. Abdominal auscultation scores were monitored for 2 and 12 hours after drug administration in the control and experimental groups, respectively.


RESULTS
Following control treatment, horses remained calm while restrained in the stocks and no significant changes in cardiopulmonary variables were observed throughout the study. Buprenorphine administration caused excitatory phenomena (restlessness and head shaking). Heart rate, cardiac index, and arterial blood pressure were significantly increased after buprenorphine administration until the end of the observational period (120 minutes). Minimal changes were found in arterial blood gas tensions. Abdominal auscultation scores decreased significantly from baseline for 4 hours after buprenorphine administration.


CONCLUSIONS
Buprenorphine induced excitement and hemodynamic stimulation with minimal changes in arterial blood gas tensions. These effects may impact the clinical use of buprenorphine in horses. Further studies are indicated to investigate the effects of buprenorphine on gastrointestinal motility and fecal output.
Carregaro
Adriano B
AB
Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesiology, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, São Paulo State University--UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil, 14870-000.
Neto
Francisco J Teixeira
FJ
Beier
Suzane L
SL
Luna
Stelio P L
SP
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006736:Horses / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011897:Random Allocation
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002047:Buprenorphine; D010100:Oxygen