Non-surgical protocols of nephrosplenic entrapment in horses

For more on non-surgical correction of nephrosplenic entrapment see the article associated with this forum.
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Effects of xylazine and adrenaline combinations: Preliminary clinical application for non-surgical protocols of nephrosplenic entrapment in horses

Vet World. 2021 Dec;14(12):3188-3193.
Authors
Worakij Cherdchutham 1 , Patskit Sukhong 1 , Kanchanog Sae-Oueng 1 , Nithisphat Supanwinijkul 1 , Kittanai Wiangnak 1 , Jirayut Srimuang 1 , Tawanhathai Apichaimongkonkun 2 , Sarocha Limratchapong 2 , Soontaree Petchdee 1
Affiliations

1 Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus 73140, Thailand.
2 Kasetsart University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, 73140, Thailand.

PMID: 35153411
PMCID: PMC8829408
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.3188-3193

Abstract

Background and aim: The medical treatment of horses with nephrosplenic entrapment (NSE) of the large colon through administrating phenylephrine and rolling during general anesthesia was effective and less expensive than surgical treatment. However, the selection of drugs for non-surgical treatment of NSE is not a usual method for clinical practice. This study aimed to identify the effects of combined drugs on the cardiac and splenic response in horses and provide information on the NSE of the large colon for clinical application.

Materials and methods: Six healthy Thai native crossbred horses were enrolled in this study. Horses received two protocols with a withdrawal period of 14 days: Group 1 received xylazine (0.5 mg/kg IV) and adrenaline (1 mcg/kg IV), and Group 2 received xylazine (0.5 mg/kg IV) and adrenaline (3 mcg/kg IV). Heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV), heart dimensions, and the splenic response of six horses were measured before the sedation, 30 and 60 min later, and 65, 70, 75, 80, 90, and 100 min after adrenaline administration. Doppler was used to obtain systolic blood pressure.

Results: The HRV low-frequency and high-frequency power ratios decreased after using xylazine. Hypertension was observed after adrenaline administration. In this study, there were only minimal differences in the HR and respiratory rate between groups. However, overall cardiac and splenic parameters were statistically higher in Group 2.

Conclusion: This study suggested that xylazine and three micrograms of adrenaline preserved the cardiac autonomic activity balance and were safe to use non-surgical applicability in horses.

Keywords: adrenaline; autonomic nervous activity; horse; spleen contraction.