Analgesic Effect of Butorphanol during Castration in Donkeys under Total Intravenous Anaesthesia

Abstract

Pain management is necessary for all surgical procedures. Little scientific evidence about drug efficacy in donkeys is available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of butorphanol in donkeys undergoing orchiectomy under total intravenous anaesthesia with guaifenesin-ketamine-detomidine. A randomized blinded prospective clinical trial (Protocol n. 2021/0000338), was carried out on 18 clinically healthy donkeys undergoing bilateral orchiectomy. Patients were assigned to Group D (n = 8) or Group DB (n = 10) if receiving intravenous detomidine or detomidine-butorphanol respectively, before induction of general anaesthesia with ketamine-diazepam. Intraoperative muscle relaxation, nystagmus, palpebral reflex, heart and respiratory rate, and non-invasive blood pressure were evaluated every 2 min; time to prepare the patient, duration of surgery and anaesthesia and recovery score were recorded. Group D had significantly longer surgical time, higher heart rate, higher systolic and mean blood pressure (p < 0.05; repeated measure ANOVA), increased muscle rigidity and expression of palpebral reflex (p < 0.05; Mann–Whitney U test) than group DB. Top-ups with thiopental were statistically higher in Group D. Butorphanol and detomidine together produced a more stable anaesthetic plan. The low dosage of opioid and alpha-2-agonists and reduced rescue anaesthesia are responsible for a safer and more superficial anaesthesia, which is mandatory under field conditions.

Biostimulation effect of platelet-rich fibrin augmented with decellularized bovine pericardium on full-thickness cutaneous wound healing in Donkeys (Equus asinus)

“…In the current study, to prevent fog wound healing assessment in the present investigation, a single dose of systemic antibiotic was administered without NSAID [ 33 ]. There is no agreed-upon paradigm for the use of anti-inflammatory medications; [ 34 ] suggested the utilization of painkillers such as butorphanol in donkeys postoperatively to eliminate complications like delayed wound healing or prolonged recovery time.…”

The Clinical Effect of Xylazine Premedication in Water Buffalo Calves (Bubalus bubalis) Undergoing Castration under General Anaesthesia

“…The aim of this study was to define an appropriate anaesthetic protocol that can be used to perform standard surgical procedures on buffalo calves. Because the anatomical and physiological characteristics of cows are similar to those of buffaloes, buffaloes are often considered and managed as cattle, but the impact of interspecies differences on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs should be considered [ 10 ]. We investigated the effect of two different intramuscular doses of xylazine for premedication, followed by ketamine induction, in water buffalo calves undergoing isoflurane maintenance anaesthesia for routine castration surgery.…”

“…Unmitigated pain may suppress immune function and increase susceptibility to disease, not only compromising welfare but also increasing the risk of morbidity and mortality [ 8 , 9 ]. The growing global concern about pain related to routine husbandry procedures such as castration, dehorning and tail docking challenges researchers to develop effective methods to relieve pain and stress in livestock [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

“…Because the anatomical and physiological characteristics of cows are similar to those of buffaloes, buffaloes are often considered and managed as cattle. However, species-specific features need to be considered in anaesthesia and analgesia, and specific dosing protocols are mandatory, especially in animals intended for human consumption [ 10 , 11 ].…”

Acellular bovine pericardium as a biological dressing for treatment of cutaneous wounds of the distal limb in donkeys (Equus Asinus)

“…At the end of the operation, the donkeys were administered butorphanol (50 µg/kg, Torbugesic, Fort Dodge, IA, USA) IV, and donkeys were placed into a padded recovery room. For 3 successive days postoperatively, butorphanol was injected intravenously (50 µg/kg, Nargesic®; ACME Srl, Reggio Emilia, Italy; (Straticò et al 2021 ). The first dose was administered 4 h following wound induction.…”