Sedation and analgesia in the standing horse 1. Drugs used for sedation and systemic analgesia

Abstract

Many surgical and diagnostic procedures can be performed safely and humanely in conscious horses by using a combination of sedation, analgesia and local anaesthetic techniques. This article discusses sedatives and analgesics, including drugs that are administered intravenously, intramuscularly, orally or transmucosally. Drugs administered by infiltration, and/or the epidural, perineural or intra-articular routes to provide local analgesia will be discussed in a second article, to be published in a subsequent issue of In Practice.

Wolf teeth and their extraction

“…). Perform a full oral examination using a mirror or oral endoscope. Obtain dental radiographs if indicated due to the suspicion of unerupted or displaced wolf teeth. Place a sterile i.v. catheter for constant rate infusion of an α 2 agonist (routinely detomidine at 0.50 µg/kg bwt/min i.v., that is 30 mg detomidine in 500 ml saline at an infusion rate of 250 ml/h for a 500 kg horse) if the procedure is anticipated to take an extended duration (usually over 45 min) such as when wolf teeth are large, displaced or impacted (Hainisch ; Love ; Michou and Leece ,b). Prepare skin by disinfecting with alcohol and perform required regional anaesthesia (nerve blocks); for maxillary wolf teeth – an infraorbital block ( Fig ), greater palatine block and local infiltration ( Fig ); for mandibular wolf teeth – a mental block and local infiltration (Moyer et al .…”

Advanced equine diagnostics — magnetic resonance imaging

“…Empathy and patience are vital attributes of the veterinary nurse in order to settle the patient into the situation and prevent stress; the calmer the horse the less resistance there is (Michou and Leece, 2012).…”

“…Once accustomed to the new environment, the sedated patient may be walked or backed into the machine depending on the views required. It is vital, once positioned, the veterinary nurse ensures the horse is comfortable in order for them to be happy to stay still for the duration of the scan (Michou and Leece, 2012). Often a head rest and chest bar can be utilised to help the patient balance, relax, and prevent excessive swaying ( Figure 5).…”

Medical management of large colonic impactions

“…), but these animals should not be lunged or ridden. For further information on analgesics for horses with abdominal pain, see Michou and Leese .…”