Potential effect of romifidine with lidocaine administration in goats

Comparative evaluation of sedative and anti-nociceptive effects of epidural romifidine, romifidine-lidocaine, and lidocaine in donkeys (Equus asinus)

Background

Local and regional anesthetic procedures are valuable tools in veterinary practice. Caudal epidural administration of local anesthetic agents is widely reported for surgical interventions of the tail, anus, rectum, vulva, vagina, urethra, and bladder in the standing horse. Epidural analgesia is also obtained using various drugs such as alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists, dissociative anesthetics, and opioids. The present study evaluates the anti-nociceptive and sedative effects of epidural administration of romifidine, a romifidine-lidocaine combination, and lidocaine alone in donkeys.

Materials and methods

In a randomized prospective study, twenty-four healthy adult donkeys were assigned to four groups (three experimental and one control; n = 6) received either 50 μg/kg of romifidine, 0.30 mg/kg of lidocaine, combined romifidine (50 μg/kg) and lidocaine (0.30 mg/kg) diluted in 0.9% sterile normal saline solution to a total injection volume of 12 ml, or an equivalent volume of sterile saline epidurally. After epidural injection of each treatment, the onset, degree, and duration of sedation and anatomical extension of anti-nociception were documented. Observations began immediately (time 0) pre-administration and at 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 30-min intervals subsequently until 210 min after drug injection. Time to onset of perineal analgesia was documented every minute after the epidural injection by evaluating the animal's response to pinpricks.

Results

Only romifidine and romifidine-lidocaine induced mild to moderate sedation. Romifidine, romifidine-lidocaine, and lidocaine induced complete bilateral caudal epidural analgesia with loss of sensation in the perineum, tail, inguinal region, caudal aspect of the upper hind limb, chest areas, and extended distally to the dorsal metatarsal area. Sedation lasted longer (p < 0.05) with romifidine (160 ± 15.4 min) than with romifidine-lidocaine (141.6 ± 13.2 min). Longer-lasting analgesia (p < 0.05) was obtained with romifidine (158.3 ± 9.8 min) and romifidine-lidocaine (165 ± 9.4 min) than with lidocaine (75.8 ± 8 min).

Conclusions

Epidural administration of a single dose of romifidine or a combination of romifidine-lidocaine produced mild to moderate sedation and complete anti-nociception in the perineal and inguinal regions of donkeys. The clinical usefulness of epidural romifidine or romifidine-lidocaine combinations to perform obstetric procedures in donkeys needs to be assessed.

Comparative Study of the Sedative and Anti-nociceptive Effects of Sacrococcygeal Epidural Administration of Romifidine, Lidocaine, and Romifidine/Lidocaine in the Dromedary Camel

In a randomized prospective study, comparative sedative and anti-nociceptive effects of epidural administration of romifidine (RO), lidocaine (LD), and a combination of romifidine-lidocaine (ROLD) in camel were evaluated. Eighteen healthy adult dromedary camels were assigned randomly to three treatment groups (n = 6), each receiving 50 μg/kg of RO, 0.30 mg/kg of LD, or a combination of both RO and LD. All treatments were expanded in 0.9% sterile normal saline solution to a final dose volume of 20 ml and administered directly into the sacrococcygeal space. After epidural injection of each treatment, the onset time, duration, anatomical extension of anti-nociception, and sedation were documented. Anti-nociception was tested at different areas using a pinprick test and artery forceps pinching at the perineum and inguinal area. RO and ROLD treatments resulted in mild to severe sedation and complete bilateral analgesia with loss of sensation in the tail, perineum, scrotum in males, vulva in females, the caudal aspect skin of the upper hind limb, and inguinal region (udder in females and the prepuce in males). The anatomic extent of anti-nociception reached the chest cranially and the footpad distally. Camels who received LD showed the shortest duration (P &lt; 0.001) to the onset of perineal anti-nociception (3.67 ± 0.33 min) followed by those who received RO LD (4.00 ± 0.37 min) and RO (6.67 ± 0.33 min), respectively. RO and ROLD resulted in significantly (P &lt; 0.001) longer periods of analgesia (158.33 ± 4.01 min and 165 ± 3.87 min, respectively) than LD (75.83 ± 3.27). An epidural RO and ROLD would appear to produce a very effective and acceptable anti-nociceptive effect in the perineal and inguinal regions of camels.

Clinical effects of epidurally administered dexmedetomidine with or without lidocaine in sheep

BACKGROUND

The aims of this study were evaluate cardiopulmonary, sedative and antinociceptive effects of dexmedetomidine-lidocaine combination via lumbosacral epidural injection in sheep.

METHODS

Six Santa Inês breed sheep, 16±6 months old and weighing 42.2 ± 5.7 kg were used. Sheep were subjected to epidural anaesthesia with three treatments: L, lidocaine (1.2 mg/kg), D, dexmedetomidine (2.5 μg/kg) or DL, dexmedetomidine plus lidocaine (2.5 μg/kg + 1.2 mg/kg). Drugs were injected via pre-placed lumbosacral epidural catheters. Cardiopulmonary, arterial blood gases, electrolytes, degree of sedation and antinociceptive aspects were measured before drug administration (T0) and then at 15, 30, 60 and 120 min after drug injection (T15-T120) in all treatments and at T0 to T240 in DL.

RESULTS

There were significantly increases in PaCO₂ at times T60 and T120 in D, and at T30-T120 in DL, compared to baseline. The antinociceptive effects were observed up to 240 min in DL and 60 min in L, and were more intense in DL. Treatment D provided analgesia only in the perineal region, and only at T15.

CONCLUSION

The combination of DEX with lidocaine produced similar cardiopulmonary changes compared with either drug alone, but with greater and more prolonged antinociceptive effects.

Dose-dependent effect of romifidine on intraocular pressure in clinically healthy buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

In the present study, changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) associated with romifidine sedation in buffalo were evaluated. Eighteen healthy adult, non-pregnant, buffalo without ocular abnormalities were used in a prospective randomized trial. Buffalo were allocated into three groups (six each). Buffalo in the treated groups received an intramuscular injection (IM) of romifidine at 40 or 50 μg/kg. The control group was administrated an equivalent volume of sterile saline (0.9% NaCl; 0.4 ml/100 kg). Baseline IOP (T0) values were obtained using applanation tonometry. Immediately afterwards, romifidine was administered and IOP values of both eyes were measured at 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, and 180 min post-administration. The pre-administration values (T0) of IOP for both the left and right eyes ranged from 30-36 (mean, 33 ± 1.5) mmHg and 30–35 (mean, 33.7 ± 1.4), respectively. IOP values decreased significantly after administration of both doses of romifidine compared with the placebo (P < 0.01). Compared with the control, the IOP decreased significantly in animals treated with both doses from 5-90 min post-administration in both eyes (P < 0.05). In the right eye, the lowest IOP value in the romifidine treated groups was observed at T30 (21.6 ± 1.0 and 23.3 ± 1.4 mmHg), respectively. In the left eye, the lowest IOP was observed at T60 (22.5 ± 3.0 and 23.3 ± 2.8 mmHg), respectively. In conclusion, romifidine could be recommended as an alternative analgesic in buffalo, especially for ocular affections associated with increased IOP. A dose of 40 μg/kg could be used at a low cost.

Comparative antinociceptive and sedative effects of epidural romifidine and detomidine in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

In this study, comparative antinociceptive and sedative effects of epidural administration of romifidine and detomidine in buffalo were evaluated. Eighteen healthy adult buffalo, allocated randomly in three groups (two experimental and one control; n=6) received either 50 μg/kg of romifidine or detomidine diluted in sterile saline (0.9 per cent) to a final volume of 20 ml, or an equivalent volume of sterile saline epidurally. Antinociception, sedation and ataxia parameters were recorded immediately after drug administration. Epidural romifidine and detomidine produced mild to deep sedation and complete antinociception of the perineum, inguinal area and flank, and extended distally to the coronary band of the hindlimbs and cranially to the chest area. Times to onset of antinociception and sedation were significantly shorter with romifidine than with detomidine. The antinociceptive and sedative effects were significantly longer with romifidine than with detomidine. Romifidine or detomidine could be used to provide a reliable, long-lasting and cost-effective method for achieving epidural anaesthesia for standing surgical procedures in buffalo. Romifidine induces a longer antinociceptive effect and a more rapid onset than detomidine. Consequently, epidural romifidine may offer better therapeutic benefits in the management of acute postoperative pain.

Dose-dependent antinociceptive and sedative effects of epidural romifidine in cattle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive and sedative effects of epidural administration of romifidine in dairy cattle. Twenty-four dairy cows, divided randomly into four groups (three experimental and one control; n=6) received one of three doses of romifidine (30, 40 or 50 μg/kg) diluted in sterile saline (0.9 per cent) to a final volume of 25 ml or an equivalent volume of sterile saline. Antinociception and its anatomical extent was assessed by applying a standard stimulus (needle pin pricks) in different areas and by applying an electrical stimulus to the flank. The antinociceptive effect of romifidine was produced not only in the tail, anus, perineum, vulva and inguinal area but extended up to the coronary band of the hindlimbs and chest areas. Epidural romifidine induced mild-to-moderate sedation at 30 and 40 μg/kg doses and deep sedation at the 50 μg/kg dose. The antinociceptive and sedative effect was dose-dependent in terms of intensity and duration. Thus, epidural administration of romifidine was effective in providing antinociception and sedation in cattle, and can be used in standing flank and udder surgery in cattle.

Comparison of Two Doses of Ropivacaine Hydrochloride for Lumbosacral Epidural Anaesthesia in Goats Undergoing Laparoscopy Assisted Embryo Transfer

Goats (n = 12) undergoing laparoscopy assisted embryo transfer were randomly allotted to two groups (I and II) and injected same volume of ropivacaine hydrochloride at 1.0 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg body weight, respectively, at the lumbosacral epidural space. The hind quarters of all the animals were lifted up for the first 3.0 minutes following injection. Immediately after induction the animals were restrained in dorsal recumbency in Trendelenburg position in a cradle. Laparoscopy was performed after achieving pneumoperitoneum using filtered room air. Regional analgesia and changes in physiological parameters were recorded. The mean induction time in animals of group I (n = 6) was 12.666 ± 1.994 minutes. In these animals the analgesia extended up to the umbilical region and lasted for 60 minutes. Only two animals in group II were satisfactorily induced in 11.333 ± 2.333 minutes. In animals of group I, the time taken for regaining the full motor power was significantly long (405 ± 46.314 min) when compared to group II goats (95 ± 9.219 min). From this study it was concluded that ropivacaine did not produce adequate analgesia in most of the goats at 0.5 mg/kg. When used at 1.0 mg/kg, it produced satisfactory regional analgesia lasting for one hour but the prolonged motor loss precludes its use. Additional studies using ropivacaine hydrochloride at doses in between the two extremes used here may be undertaken before recommending it for lumbosacral anaesthesia in goats undergoing laparoscopy.

Sedative and analgesic effects of romifidine in camels (Camelus dromedarius)

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and the sedative and analgesic effects of intravenous (IV) romifidine in camels.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized prospective study.

ANIMALS

Eighteen healthy adult Dromedary camels.

METHODS

Romifidine was administered IV to camels (n = 6) at three different doses (40, 80 or 120 microg kg(-1)). Time of onset, degree and duration of sedation and analgesia were recorded immediately after drug administration. Heart rate, respiratory rate, ruminal contractions, muscle relaxation, response to auditory and tactile stimulation, distance between ears, distance from lower lip to the ground, and degree of ataxia were also recorded pre-administration and at 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 and 180 minutes post-administration. Plasma glucose, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were measured.

RESULTS

Romifidine produced dose dependent sedation and analgesia. Significant decreases in heart rate (p < 0.001), ruminal contractions (p < 0.05), distance from lower lip to the ground (p < 0.001), response to auditory and tactile stimuli (p < 0.01), and significant increases in the degree of ataxia (p < 0.01), distance between the ear tips (p < 0.001) and blood glucose (p < 0.01) concentration were recorded after administration of romifidine until recovery. However, no significant changes in rectal temperature and respiratory rate were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Intravenous administration of romifidine at three different doses appeared to be an effective sedative and analgesic agent for camels. Bradycardia, ruminal atony, and hyperglycemia were the most important adverse effects after IV administration of romifidine. The IV administration of romifidine at a dose rate of 120 microg kg(-1) caused profound sedation and analgesia. Romifidine could be used for chemical restraint for a variety of diagnostic and minor surgical procedures in camels.