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Objective: To evaluate the analgesic effect of detomidine hydrochloride administered by caudal epidural injection and probable alteration in clinical parameters.
Design: Experimental study
Animals: Ten healthy adult Holstein were used for this study.
Procedure: A dose of 0.04 mg/kg detomidine (diluted to 5 ml normal saline) was injected into sacro-coccygeal epidural space. The onset and duration of analgesia were assessed using pinprick test. The heart and respiratory rates, rectal temperature and ruminal movements were recorded at 10 mm intervals until recovery.
Results: Despite a deep sedation, massive salivation and mild ataxia in the hind limbs, moderate analgesia occurred in the perineal region. No ruminal movements were observed after injection. The heart and respiratory rates significantly decreased. However, no significant change was found in rectal temperature.
Clinical implications: The results of this experiment showed that the epidural injection of detomidine is safe, but might not provide sufficient surgical analgesia.
J.Fac.Vet.Med. Univ. Tehran. 60,3:291-293,2005.