A multicentre, prospective, randomised, blinded clinical trial to compare some perioperative effects of buprenorphine or butorphanol premedication before equine elective general anaesthesia and surgery.REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY
 Buprenorphine, a μ-agonist opioid, has recently been licensed for equine use, but butorphanol, a κ-agonist opioid, is more commonly used in horses.  To compare post operative analgesia and physiological variables in horses undergoing elective surgery following premedication with either buprenorphine or butorphanol in a conventional clinical setting.


 Eighty-nine healthy horses admitted for elective surgery to one of 6 UK equine veterinary clinics were premedicated with acepromazine, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and romifidine followed by intravenous (i.v.) buprenorphine or butorphanol.  There were no significant differences between groups in any variable except post operative pain when scores (simple descriptive scale) between 3 and 6 h were significantly lower after buprenorphine than after butorphanol.


 Horses experienced less post operative pain after buprenorphine than after butorphanol premedication.  Compared with butorphanol, buprenorphine did not cause any different effects on vital function.
buprenorphine
A multicentre, prospective, randomised, blinded clinical trial to compare some perioperative effects of buprenorphine or butorphanol premedication before equine elective general anaesthesia and surgery.REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY
 Buprenorphine, a μ-agonist opioid, has recently been licensed for equine use, but butorphanol, a κ-agonist opioid, is more commonly used in horses.  To compare post operative analgesia and physiological variables in horses undergoing elective surgery following premedication with either buprenorphine or butorphanol in a conventional clinical setting.


 Eighty-nine healthy horses admitted for elective surgery to one of 6 UK equine veterinary clinics were premedicated with acepromazine, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and romifidine followed by intravenous (i.v.) buprenorphine or butorphanol.  There were no significant differences between groups in any variable except post operative pain when scores (simple descriptive scale) between 3 and 6 h were significantly lower after buprenorphine than after butorphanol.


 Horses experienced less post operative pain after buprenorphine than after butorphanol premedication.  Compared with butorphanol, buprenorphine did not cause any different effects on vital function.
butorphanol