title: Sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of buprenorphine and xylazine in horses.
abstract: This study investigated the sedative, cardiopulmonary, and gastrointestinal effects produced by buprenorphine and xylazine given in combination to horses. Six healthy adult horses underwent 4 randomized treatments, with an interval of 1 wk between treatments. A control group was given a saline solution intravenously (IV) and the experimental groups received buprenorphine [10 μg/kg bodyweight (BW)] in combination with 1 of 3 different doses of xylazine: 0.25 mg/kg BW (BX25), 0.50 mg/kg BW (BX50), or 0.75 mg/kg BW (BX75), all of them by IV. Cardiopulmonary parameters were evaluated for 120 min after the drugs were administered and intestinal motility was observed for 12 h after treatment. Sedation was found to be dose-dependent in all groups receiving buprenorphine and xylazine and it was observed that the heart rate decreased in the first 5 min and increased at the end of the sedation period. Arterial blood gas tension analyses showed minimal alterations during the experiment. Gastrointestinal hypomotility was observed for up to 8 h. The combination of buprenorphine and 0.50 mg/kg BW of xylazine (BX50) provided a 30-minute period of sedation without intense ataxia and maintained cardiopulmonary parameters within acceptable limits for the species.
authors: Department of Zootechnical Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil.
authors: Fernando S F
authors: FS
authors: Cruz
authors: Adriano B
authors: AB
authors: Carregaro
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Machado
authors: Rômulo R
authors: RR
authors: Antonow
mesh_terms: D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule / Q000662:veterinary; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006736:Horses; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D056152:Respiratory Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D013995:Time; D014991:Xylazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D014991:Xylazine; D002047:Buprenorphine