Dose‐dependent antinociceptive and sedative effects of epidural romifidine in cattle

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive and sedative effects of epidural administration of romifidine in dairy cattle. Twenty-four dairy cows, divided randomly into four groups (three experimental and one control; n=6) received one of three doses of romifidine (30, 40 or 50 μg/kg) diluted in sterile saline (0.9 per cent) to a final volume of 25 ml or an equivalent volume of sterile saline. Antinociception and its anatomical extent was assessed by applying a standard stimulus (needle pin pricks) in different areas and by applying an electrical stimulus to the flank. The antinociceptive effect of romifidine was produced not only in the tail, anus, perineum, vulva and inguinal area but extended up to the coronary band of the hindlimbs and chest areas. Epidural romifidine induced mild-to-moderate sedation at 30 and 40 μg/kg doses and deep sedation at the 50 μg/kg dose. The antinociceptive and sedative effect was dose-dependent in terms of intensity and duration. Thus, epidural administration of romifidine was effective in providing antinociception and sedation in cattle, and can be used in standing flank and udder surgery in cattle.

Comparative antinociceptive and sedative effects of epidural romifidine and detomidine in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

“…Results in the study reported here suggest that epidural administration of romifidine and detomidine provides significant analgesia of the perineum, inguinal area, chest, flank and coronary band regions. Similar findings were reported in previous studies (Prado and others 1999, Marzok and El-Khodery 2016). However, these results were in contrast to results of previous study (Gomez De Segura and others 1993) in which epidural administration of detomidine to cattle at doses of 60, 90 and 120 μg/kg failed to induce sedation or analgesia.…”

“…Newly introduced non-invasive nociception tools, such as pressure algometry, von Frey filaments, thermal sensitivity and electrical stimulation, have been developed for assessing nociception in cattle (Herskin and others 2003, Fierheller and others 2004, Heinrich and others 2010, Marzok and El-khodery 2016). On the other hand, ‘pinprick’ mechanical stimulation was used in the current study to evaluate antinociception effects of administration of romifidine and detomidine in buffalo as it is a common method in research studies in animals (St Jean and others 1990, Zaugg and Nussbaum 1990, Grubb and others 2002) and is frequently used clinically to test whether surgery can be done after a local block in standing large animals.…”

Epidural analgesia in cattle, buffalo, and camels

“…Romifidine is an imidazolidine derivative and an alpha-2 agonist [20]. It has been used in various animal species including horses, dogs, goats, and cattle for its systemic and analgesic effects [20].…”

“…It has been used in various animal species including horses, dogs, goats, and cattle for its systemic and analgesic effects [20]. In cattle, when administered systemically, romifidine appears to have similar effects to xylazine with faster and longer duration of analgesia [20].…”

“…It has been used in various animal species including horses, dogs, goats, and cattle for its systemic and analgesic effects [20]. In cattle, when administered systemically, romifidine appears to have similar effects to xylazine with faster and longer duration of analgesia [20]. After epidural administration of romifidine in adult cattle, the antinociceptive effect was produced in the tail, anus, perineum, vulva, and inguinal area [20].…”