Sedative and respiratory effects of intramuscular detomidine and butorphanol in donkeys sedated for diagnostic procedures: preliminary study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intramuscular detomidine and butorphanol on seda- tion and arterial blood gases in donkeys. Sixteen healthy Amiata donkeys, enrolled in this experimental study, were sedated twice for gastros- copy (groupG) and for bronco-alveolar lavage (BAL) (groupB). Before sedation HR, fR, temperature and arterial blood values were recorded as Tbase. After IM injection of detomidine 0.06 mg kg1 and but- orphanol 0.05 mg kg1 HR, fR, oscillometric mean arterial pressure (MAP) and sedation score (com- posite descriptive scale: range 0–10) were recorded. Arterial blood was sampled before the procedure (T1) with a sedation score ≥6 (high sedation level) and at the end of sedation (T2) (score <3). Paramet- ric data were analyzed using ANOVA for repeated measures and sedation score with a Friedman test. Sedation score of 6 was reached after 10 minutes in all animals. Mean sedation time (score >3) was 47 ` 12 minutes (maximum median score = 7). T1 and T2 values of PaO2, HR and fR were significantly lower compared to Tbase values, inde- pendent of the procedure (p < 0.05) (Table 1). Intramuscular detomidine and butorphanol pro- vided good sedation for diagnostic procedures in donkeys. Clinician should be aware of reduction in oxygen tension that can arise.