Effects of double intravenous furosemide administration at different doses on clinical variables, electrocardiographic indices and serum electrolytes in miniature donkeys.

The intravenous (IV) usage of diuretics such as furosemide may cause changes in clinical variables, electrocardiographic (ECG) indices and some serum electrolytes concentrations in miniature donkeys. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of double intravenous (IV) administration of furosemide at different doses on the clinical variables, ECG indices and serum electrolytes levels in miniature donkeys. A total of 21 clinically and para-clinically healthy miniature donkeys with a mean age of 6.00 ± 1.00 years and weight of 95.00 ± 5.00 kg were used. The animals were randomly divided into three groups of control (normal saline) and low- (1.00 mg kg-1) and high-dose (2.00 mg kg-1) of furosemide. Two IV injections with 12-hr interval were administered in each animal. The clinical and ECG parameters were measured at 0 (baseline), 2 (T2), 24 (T24) and 48 (T48) hr after drug administration. Serum concentrations of electrolytes were measured at T0, T24 and T48. The results of this study showed no changes in clinical variables (heart rate, rectal temperature and respiratory rate) and ECG indices (amplitude and duration of P, QRS and T waves and duration of PR, QT and RR intervals) as well as no significant changes in serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium) levels. Although no significant effect on clinical variables, electrolytes levels and ECG indices after double IV administration of furosemide (1.00 and 2.00 mg kg-1) in miniature donkeys was observed, absence of these effects does not mean that furosemide had no pharmacological effect.

Comparative evaluation of the sedative and physiological effects of medetomidine alone and in combination with pethidine, morphine, tramadol, and methadone in goats.

BACKGROUND: The use of combinations of α2 -adrenergic agonists and opioids has been published as providing superior sedation than either drug alone. INTRODUCTION: The present study aims to compare the sedative and physiological effects of intravenous (IV) administration of medetomidine alone and in combination with methadone, morphine, tramadol, and pethidine in goats. METHODS: Ten healthy goats aged 12 ± 3 months and weight of 22 ± 4 kg were used in an experimental, crossover (Latin square), randomized, and blinded study. The animals were assigned to five IV treatments with a minimum washout period of 8 days between treatments: medetomidine (20 µg kg-1 ), medetomidine/methadone (0.5 mg kg-1 ), medetomidine/morphine (0.5 mg kg-1 ), medetomidine/tramadol (5 mg kg-1 ), and medetomidine/pethidine (1 mg kg-1 ). RESULTS: Clinical adverse effects such as tremors (facial and generalized), bruxism, nystagmus, mydriasis, and vocalization were presented in all the medetomidine/opioid treatments. Clinical adverse effects were observed at 10-90 minutes in medetomidine/opioid treatments. Animals in all treatments were sedated at 5-90 minutes. Sedation was significantly higher in medetomidine/opioid treatments than in medetomidine at 15-30 minutes after administration (P < 0.05). In all treatments, heart rate and respiratory rate significantly decreased from baseline at 5-105 and 30-60 minutes, respectively. There was no significant difference in heart and respiratory rates between different treatments at any time point. Ruminal motility was decreased in medetomidine and medetomidine/opioid treatments at 10-75 and 10-105 minutes, respectively. Compared with medetomidine, ruminal motility was significantly lower in medetomidine/opioid treatments at 75-105 minutes. CONCLUSION: The use of combinations of medetomidine/opioids would be considered for superior sedation at 15-30 minutes after administration in goats. No significant differences were detected among opioids in combination with medetomidine in goats.

Effect of xylazine, detomidine, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine during laparoscopic SCNT embryo transfer on pregnancy rate and some physiological variables in goats.

BACKGROUND: The present study was conducted to determine if using α2-adrenergic agonists results in decreased stress levels (lower cortisol levels) in goats used for laparoscopic embryo [somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)] transfer; and there is an effect on pregnancy rate when stress levels are lessened. Sixty healthy does aged 24 ± 4 months and weighing 30 ± 3 kg were used in experimental, prospective, randomized and blinded study. In this study, embryos were obtained by the Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) method. Animals were randomly assigned to five groups: control (normal saline); xylazine (100 µg kg- 1); detomidine (50 µg kg- 1); medetomidine (20 µg kg- 1); and dexmedetomidine (5 µg kg- 1). Embryo transfer (through laparoscopic technique) began at 15 min and continued till 45 min post-treatment. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), and ruminal motility were performed before (baseline) and after drug administration. Pregnancy detection was performed 38 days after embryo transfer. RESULTS: Compared to control, HR, RR and ruminal motility were significantly lower in α2-adrenergic agonists groups at 5-90, 15-60, and 5-120 min, respectively. Serum cortisol values significantly increased from baseline in the control group 45 min after drug administration (p = 0.001). At time points 45 and 60 min, serum cortisol concentration was significantly lower in α2-adrenergic agonists groups compared with the control. The pregnancy rate in control group (n = 4/12, 33.3%) was significantly lower than xylazine (n = 9/12, 75%; p = 0.041), detomidine (n = 10/12, 83.3%; p = 0.013), medetomidine (n = 9/12, 75%; p = 0.041) and dexmedetomidine (n = 10/12, 83.3%; p = 0.013); but no significant differences were observed among different α2-adrenergic agonists groups. CONCLUSION: Alph2-adrenergic agonists were effective on increasing the pregnancy rate of recipient goats receiving cloned embryos. No significant differences were detected among different α2-adrenergic agonists.

Comparative Evaluation of the Sedative and Analgesic Effects of Caudal Epidural Administration of Lidocaine Alone or in Combination With Xylazine, Detomidine, Medetomidine, and Dexmedetomidine in Mediterranean Miniature Donkeys.

The present study aimed to compare the sedative and analgesic effects of caudal epidural administration of lidocaine alone or in combination with four different α2-adrenergic agonists in Mediterranean miniature donkeys. A total of ten clinically healthy (five males and five females) Mediterranean miniature donkeys with an age of 5 ± 1 years, a weight of 100 ± 2 kg and a height at the withers of 0.8 ± 0.06 m (mean ± standard deviation) were used in experimental, crossover (Latin square), randomized, and blinded study. Animals were assigned to five treatment groups including lidocaine alone (0.22 mg kg-1), or associated with one among xylazine (0.17 mg kg-1), detomidine (30 µg kg-1), medetomidine (15 µg kg-1), dexmedetomidine (5 µg kg-1) with a minimum washout period of 8 days between treatments. The degree of sedation was investigated using a simple descriptive scale of 0-3. Sedation scores were compared at each time using nonparametric (Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U) tests. Analgesia was assessed by pinprick test. Sedation was greater in lidocaine and/or α2-adrenergic agonist groups than in lidocaine group at 45-75 minutes after drug administration (P < .05). There were no significant differences among groups in time to onset of analgesia and ataxia and also in number of animals with complete perineal analgesia and ataxia. Duration of analgesia and ataxia were longer in lidocaine and/or α2-adrenergic agonist groups than in lidocaine (P < .05). There were no significant differences among lidocaine and/or α2-adrenergic agonist groups in sedation score and duration of analgesia and ataxia. No significant differences were observed in heart and respiratory rate and also rectal temperature at any time points between groups and within groups. Caudal epidural administration of α2- adrenergic agonists associated with lidocaine resulted in sedative effects on Mediterranean miniature donkeys, while lidocaine alone did not induce sedation. These drugs associations should be considered when superior analgesia is advocated.

Evaluation of the sedative and physiological effects of xylazine, detomidine, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine in goats.

BACKGROUND: Many α2 -agonists are commonly used for sedation and analgesia in ruminants. INTRODUCTION: The present study aims to compare the sedative and physiological effects of intravenous (IV) administration of xylazine, detomidine, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine in goats. METHODS: Ten healthy goats aged 6 ± 1 months and weighing 15 ± 2 kg were used in experimental, crossover Latin square, randomised and blinded study. Animals were assigned to five IV treatments: control (normal saline); xylazine (100 µg kg-1 ); detomidine (50 µg kg-1 ); medetomidine (20 µg kg-1 ) and dexmedetomidine (5 µg kg-1 ). The degree of sedation was investigated using a numerical ranking scale of 0-10. Sedation scores were compared at each time using nonparametric (Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U) tests. RESULTS: Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), ruminal motility and capillary refill time (CRT) were performed before (baseline) and after drug administration. Animals in α2 -adrenergic agonist treatments were sedated at 5-60 min. There were no significant differences among α2 -adrenergic agonist treatments at 5-60 min in sedation scores. HR significantly decreased from baseline 5-90 min after α2 -adrenergic agonists' administration. Ruminal motility was decreased in α2 -adrenergic agonist treatments at 5, 90 and 120 min and absent at 10-60 min. A significant decrease from baseline in RR was detected between 30 and 90 min after α2 -adrenergic agonists' administration. RT was unchanged in any treatment for 120 min. CRT was less than 2 s at all time points following each treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The duration of sedation was up to 60 min after IV administration of xylazine (100 µg kg-1 ), detomidine (50 µg kg-1 ), medetomidine (20 µg kg-1 ) and dexmedetomidine (5 µg kg-1 ) in goats in this study. No significant differences were detected between xylazine, detomidine, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine in goats.

Changes in ghrelin, microminerals, antioxidants and vitamins A, E and C levels during different physiological status in high yielding Saanen goats subjected to heat stress.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of ghrelin, microminerals, antioxidants, and vitamins A, E and C levels during different metabolic periods in high yielding Saanen goats subjected to heat stress. Twenty clinically and paraclinically healthy, high yielding and multiparous goats with an average age of 3 ± 0.5 years and pregnant with a single fetus were included in this study. Sampling was performed at three different physiologic periods: non-pregnancy non-lactation (P1), four-month gestation (P2), and first month of lactation (P3). In this study, the ambient temperature ranged from 19 to 42 °C and relative humidity ranged from 14 to 19% during the hot months. Serum concentrations of ghrelin, glucose (Glu), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), vitamins (A, E and C) and microminerals (selenium, manganese, cobalt, iron, copper and zinc) were measured. Mean raw milk yield of the goats per day at the first month of lactation was 2.34 ± 0.2 kg. Concentration of ghrelin at P1 was significantly lower than P2 and P3 (P < 0.05). Glucose levels were significantly lower at P3 compared with P1 and P2 (P < 0.05). There were no significant correlations between ghrelin and Glu at different periods. Concentrations of selenium and manganese were significantly higher at P3 compared with P2 and were significantly higher at P2 compared with P1. Values of copper at P2 were significantly higher than P1 and P3 (P < 0.05). Zinc levels were significantly higher at P1 compared with P2 and P3 (P < 0.05). Values of antioxidants and vitamins were significantly lower at P3 compared with P2. It is concluded that high yielding Saanen goats may suffer from hormonal and metabolic disturbances, oxidative stress and micromineral deficiencies during late gestation and the first month of lactation especially when they are subjected to heat stress.

Effects of two-dose intravenous administration of furosemide on clinical variables, electrocardiographic indices and serum electrolytes in dromedary calves.

The intravenous (IV) usage of diuretic agents such as furosemide may cause changes in clinical signs, electrocardiographic (ECG) indices and serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium) concentrations in dromedary calves. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical, ECG and biochemical effects of two-dose IV administration of furosemide in dromedary calves. A total of 21 clinically healthy male dromedary calves with the age of 5 (± 1) months and weight of 95 (± 5) kg were studied. The animals were randomly divided into three groups of control (normal saline), low-dose furosemide (2.5 mg/kg) and high-dose furosemide (5 mg/kg). Two IV injections with 12-hr intervals were administered in all animals. The clinical and ECG parameters were measured at 0 (baseline), 2 (T2), 24 (T24) and 48 (T48) hours after drug administration. Serum concentrations of electrolytes were measured at T0, T24 and T48 hr. The results of this study showed no changes in clinical parameters (heart rate, rectal temperature, respiratory rate and Unruminal motility), ECG indices and also no significant changes in serum electrolytes levels. Under conditions with free access to fresh water, two-dose IV injection of furosemide (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) could be administered in healthy dromedary calves.

Comparative Anti-inflammatory Effects of Insulin and Flunixin on Acute-Phase Responses and Cardiovascular Biomarkers During Inflammatory Phase in Miniature Donkeys.

The objective of this study was to comparatively evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of intravenous administration of insulin (in different doses) and flunixin on physiological variables, acute-phase responses, and cardiovascular biomarkers during inflammatory phase which was induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) serotype O55:B5 in miniature donkeys. A total of twenty-four clinically healthy male adult miniature donkeys aged 5 ± 1 year and weighing 120 ± 10 kg were studied. The animals were assigned randomly to four experimental groups (three treatment and one positive control groups). Six hours after induction of inflammatory phase (by 20 ng kg-1 LPS), donkeys in groups Insln 1.5, Insln 3, and Flnx received insulin at 1.5 IU kg-1, insulin at 3 IU kg-1, and flunixin at 2.2 mg kg-1, respectively. Animals in the positive control group were assigned to receive LPS without any anti-inflammatory drugs. We have shown that serum concentrations of cardiovascular, acute-phase proteins and cytokines were increased during inflammatory phase in miniature donkeys. Our results revealed that insulin at 3 IU kg-1 as well as flunixin at 2.2 mg kg-1 can improve almost all of the physiological variables and hematobiochemical variables (including serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, cardiac troponin I, hemocysteine, white blood cell, and packed cell volume) after 24 hours. Unlike insulin at 1.5 IU kg-1, insulin at 3 IU kg-1 may be considered useful for inflammatory conditions in miniature donkeys.

Evaluation of sedative, analgesic, physiological, and laboratory effects of two doses off medetomidine and xylazine in dromedary calves.

The present study aims to comparatively evaluate the effects of different doses of intravenous xylazine and medetomidine on sedation and antinociception scores, and physiological and laboratory parameters in dromedary calves. Thirty clinically healthy male dromedary calves 15 ± 2 weeks old and weighing 95 ± 5.5 kg were studied. Two groups received xylazine at low (0.2 mg/kg) and high (0.4 mg/kg) doses. Two groups received medetomidine at low (10 µg/kg) and high (20 µg/kg) doses. One group received normal saline. Sedation signs were scored using a 3-point scale. Analgesic effect was analyzed using pinpricks. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U-tests. Sedation and antinociception scores of the animals 1 hr after receiving the higher dose of xylazine and medetomidine were significantly higher than that of other groups. Compared with other studied groups, the animals receiving the higher dose of xylazine showed significantly higher potassium and creatinine serum levels after 24 hr. Doses as high as 0.4 mg/kg for xylazine and 20 µg/kg for medetomidine can be considered safe and useful for procedures associated with mild pain in dromedary calves.

Changes of clinical, electrolytes, acute phase proteins, and some cardiovascular biomarkers in lambs and kids from birth to 2 days of age.

The aim of the current study was to establish reference values for most important clinicohematological, electrolytes, acute phase proteins, and some cardiovascular biomarkers in lambs and kids from birth to 2 days of age. A total of 40 animals (20 lambs and 20 kids) were enrolled into the study from birth to 2 days of age. The neonates were born to Kermani ewes and Cashmere (Raini) does of 3 years of age weighing 42 ± 1 and 30 ± 2 kg, respectively, during the breeding season. Mothers of the neonates were reared under the same husbandry and management conditions in the same group pen. The first feeding (via bottle) occurred at 40 ± 15 min after birth, and the colostrum was offered again every 30 min to obtain an intake volume equivalent to 10% of the neonate's body weight (BW). The transitional milk milked at 12, 24, and 36 h after birth was artificially ad libitum offered via bottle. Blood sampling was initiated immediately after birth (before the ingestion of colostrum) and then were performed within the first and second day after birth. In both species, heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) were significantly decreased within the first 48 and 24 h after birth, respectively (P < 0.01). Values of calcium, chloride, and magnesium were significantly increased within 24 h after birth. There were no significant changes in serum concentrations of potassium during the first day of life, while it was significantly higher after 48 h. Phosphorous levels determined during the entire study period showed age-related changes in kids and lambs. Significant decreases in PCV value were seen during the first day of life in lambs and kids (P < 0.05). Except for hemocysteine (Hcy) and serum amyloid A (SAA), values of haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, fibrinogen, cardiac troponin I, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB were unchanged within the first 24 h after birth. In both species, during the first 48 h of life Hcy and SAA, serum values were significantly decreased and increased, respectively (P < 0.001). It is suggested that the changes in clinicohematological, electrolytes, acute phase proteins, and some cardiovascular biomarkers are normal and could be attributed to both colostrum absorption and physiological development of a newborn.