Effect of butorphanol, midazolam or ketamine on romifidine based sedation in horses during standing cheek tooth removal.
Authors: Müller Theresa Maria, Hopster Klaus, Bienert-Zeit Astrid, Rohn Karl, Kästner Sabine B R
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Sedation Protocols for Standing Equine Dental Surgery Romifidine-based sedation is widely used for standing procedures in equine practice, yet optimising adjunctive agents remains clinically important for achieving reliable restraint during cheek tooth extractions. Müller and colleagues compared three common co-sedative agents—butorphanol, midazolam, and ketamine—administered alongside romifidine in horses undergoing standing dental surgery, evaluating their effects on sedation depth, analgesia, and procedural suitability. The addition of each agent produced measurable differences in sedation quality and recovery characteristics, with specific protocols proving more effective for maintaining stable standing positions throughout extraction procedures. These findings have direct relevance for practitioners selecting sedation regimens tailored to individual patient needs and procedure complexity, particularly when considering analgesic requirements, recovery time, and the need for repositioning during lengthy dental work. Understanding the comparative profiles of these combinations allows farriers and veterinary surgeons to make evidence-based choices that enhance patient safety and procedural efficiency whilst minimising the risk of the horse losing the standing position mid-surgery.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Standing cheek tooth removal requires careful sedation protocol selection; this study provides comparative data on romifidine combinations to guide clinical choice
- •Consider butorphanol, midazolam, or ketamine as adjuncts to romifidine depending on clinical requirements and patient factors during standing dental procedures
Key Findings
- •Romifidine-based sedation protocols supplemented with butorphanol, midazolam, or ketamine were evaluated for efficacy in standing cheek tooth removal procedures
- •Study compared three different drug combinations to establish which adjunct provides optimal sedation during standing equine dental surgery