Sedative effect of different doses of detomidine in horses by intravenous and intramuscular routes

Abstract

The present study aimed at the sedative effect of detomidine applications, in the dose range of 50 to 80 ug/kg intramuscularly, and from 20 to 40 ug/kg intravenously. The work was based on the pharmacokinetic parameters of maximum time (Tmax), maximum concentration (Cmax) and half-life (T ½). The relationship between head position and plasma concentration was established using a PK/PD model. If the time taken for the animal to return the head to the 100cm position is taken as a basis, it is observed that this time is 378, 396, 412 and 425 minutes for the doses of 50, 60, 70 and 80 ug/ml respectively, by the intramuscular route. It is possible to observe that the duration of the effect is approximately 78, 101, 122, 138 and 150 minutes for the concentrations of 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 ug/kg, respectively, by the intravenous route. The effect considered desired lasted 66, 88, 104, 127 and 139 minutes with the doses of 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 ug/Kg, respectively, through the intravenous route. The present study concluded that the higher the dose, the longer the duration of the effect, regardless of the route. Intramuscularly, there is an increase of approximately 20 minutes for each 10 ug/ml increase in the dose.