Sedation with dexmedetomidine-butorphanol or xylazine-butorphanol continuous intravenous infusions during unilateral ovariectomy in standing donkeys.
Authors: Dzikiti Tarisai B, Maney Jill K, Thorogood Jemma, Segabinazzi Lorenzo, Peterson Erik, Dzikiti Loveness N, Escobar André
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Standing ovariectomy in donkeys presents a unique clinical challenge, as published guidance on sedation protocols for this procedure remains sparse. Researchers compared two alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist combinations—dexmedetomidine-butorphanol versus xylazine-butorphanol delivered as continuous IV infusions—in 13 female donkeys undergoing unilateral ovariectomy with local analgesia (flank block and uterine ligament infiltration with lidocaine). Both sedation regimens produced moderate to marked sedation adequate for surgery, with dexmedetomidine dosed at 2.5 µg/kg bolus followed by 2.5 µg/kg/h infusion and xylazine at 0.5 mg/kg bolus followed by 0.5 mg/kg/h infusion, alongside a constant butorphanol rate of 0.05 mg/kg/h; neither protocol generated adverse physiological effects, and sedation had worn off completely by 60 minutes post-infusion. These findings suggest that either combination represents a viable option for practitioners seeking to perform standing ovariectomy in donkeys, though the study's focus on surgical efficacy rather than detailed pharmacokinetic profiling means further research would strengthen confidence in dose optimisation and inter-individual variability across different clinical settings.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Dexmedetomidine or xylazine combined with butorphanol can safely facilitate standing ovariectomy in donkeys, offering practitioners an option for field or clinic-based surgical procedures
- •Both drug combinations are reversible and titratable, allowing real-time adjustment of sedation depth during prolonged procedures
- •Recovery is rapid (sedation absent by 60 min post-infusion), minimizing post-operative complications and allowing same-day discharge
Key Findings
- •Both dexmedetomidine-butorphanol and xylazine-butorphanol infusions produced moderate to marked sedation adequate for standing ovariectomy in donkeys
- •Sedation was evident for the duration of infusion and absent by 60 minutes post-termination
- •No adverse physiological effects were observed with either sedation protocol
- •Dose adjustments of alpha-2 agonists (±25%) were required during procedure while butorphanol infusion remained constant