Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Natalini, Claudio C.

Committee Member

Meyer, Robert E.

Committee Member

Fontenot, Robin

Committee Member

Langston, Cory

Committee Member

Archer, Todd

Date of Degree

4-30-2021

Original embargo terms

Worldwide

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Veterinary Medical Research

Degree Name

Master of Science

College

College of Veterinary Medicine

Department

Department of Clinical Sciences

Abstract

An ideal dexmedetomidine protocol has yet to be determined for standing sedation in horses. It was hypothesized that an intravenous (IV) bolus followed by continuous rate infusion (CRI) dexmedetomidine would have a quicker increase in plasma concentrations compared to repeated intramuscular (IM) injections. In a cross-over design, eight adult, female horses were randomly placed in two groups: the CRI group (IV bolus dexmedetomidine at 0.005 mg/kg followed by a CRI at 0.01 mg/kg/hr for 15 minutes then 0.005 mg/kg/hr for 60 minutes) and the IM group (dexmedetomidine at 0.01 mg/kg, followed by 0.005 mg/kg in 30-minute intervals for 60 minutes). Analgesia was evaluated using a mechanical pressure threshold device. Intravenous dexmedetomidine produced faster onset of sedation and increased pressure threshold compared to IM administration. Individual horses had a large variability in dexmedetomidine plasma concentrations between CRI and IM administration.

Sponsorship

ACVAA Foundation Resident Grant

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