Analgesic and sedative effects of detomidine in experimentally designed colic model in donkeys

The experiment was designed to evaluate the sedative and analgesic effects of detomidine in experimentally designed colic model in donkeys. In addition, its effects on cortisol, sodium, potassium and bicarbonate were also studied. Biochemical changes and haemogram were also evaluated. The study was conducted on six clinically healthy locally bred donkeys. Caecal fistulae, 5–7 cm in diameter, were made under paravertebral block on right flank of all the donkeys. One month later, a balloon was introduced into the fistula and gently inflated, and signs similar to naturally occurring colic were produced. The colicy signs were observed and the severity index was recorded based on different body responses. Thirty to 60 seconds following the i.v. injection of detomidine, the sedative effects were seen in all the donkeys. The maximum sedation was observed between 30 and 60 min post-injection. Subsequently slight decline in sedation started, and at 180 min post-injection the sedation was moderate. The evaluation of analgesia after detomidine administration revealed maximum analgesia between 30–60 min post-injection in all the animals. Cessation of the drug effect was indicated by return of total scores to pre-treatment levels. It was concluded that detomidine produced excellent and prolonged sedation and analgesia in donkeys with colic.