The effects of morphine on the recovery of horses from halothane anaesthesia

Clinical Evaluation of Total Intravenous Anesthesia Using a Combination of Propofol and Medetomidine following Anesthesia Induction with Medetomidine, Guaifenesin and Propofol for Castration in Thoroughbred Horses

“…On the other hand, in the reports in which a surgical procedure was performed under TIVA with propofol, some horses required three or more attempts to stand [7,18]. In addition, administration of morphine as a preanesthetic medication and infusion during anesthesia has been demonstrated to reduce the number of attempts to stand in horses that received surgery under halothane anesthesia, and one explanation for this is that postoperative pain stimulated return of consciousness, after which untreated pain discouraged further movement [9]. In light of these reports, many horses in this study may have tried to stand before regaining sufficient strength and coordination due to the pain stimulus caused by castration, and as a result, the number of attempts to stand may have been comparatively large.…”

Cardiopulmonary Effects and Recovery Quality of Remifentanil–Isoflurane Anesthesia in Horses

“…The confidential enquiry into equine perioperative fatalities reported that fractures during recovery were the second most common cause of perioperative death [21]. Recoveries in horses that received morphine were characterized by fewer attempts to attain sternal recumbency and standing and a shorter time from the first recovery movement to the time at standing [15]. Horses in this study also recovered faster but smoother after receiving potent opioids.…”

“…Extremely high dosages of m-agonist opioids administered intraoperatively may cause unacceptable excitement in horses during recovery [13], but administration of clinically relevant dosages of m-agonists causes no difference in recovery quality compared with administration of lesser potent opioids [14], and recovery quality is actually better in horses receiving potent m-agonist opioids than those not receiving any opioid [15,16]. Recoveries from remifentanil alone have not been evaluated.…”

Management der Aufwachphase- mit oder ohne Hilfe?

“…Ideally, horses should roll into sternal recumbency early in the recovery phase because of improved lung function in this position, remain in this position until drugs have waned allowing regain of full control of leg and body movements. Sedation with an α2 agonist has been shown to keep horses down for a longer period associated with significant improvement of the recovery quality in horses (Glitz et al 2001, Bienert et al 2003, Santos et al 2003, Ringer et al 2007, whereas morphine treatment improved the quality of recovery with better coordination without further prolongation of the recovery time (Clark et al 2008). …”