Kinematic Patterns in Horses Sedated With Low Doses of Detomidine: An Accelerometric Evaluation

Alpha-2-adrenergic drugs, such as detomidine, are commonly used to sedate lame horses during examination. However, the use of these drugs should be minimized, as they have numerous side-effects, like ataxia. Therefore, we wanted to test the effects, on the locomotor pattern, of low doses of detomidine (0.003 mg/kg). Six horses were sedated with 0.003 mg/kg of detomidine and compared with the same horses administered a saline solution. Using a triaxial accelerometer, data of kinetic, coordination and energetic locomotor parameters and the degree of sedation were collected. The effects were monitored for 60 minutes after treatment administration. No effects on coordination parameters were observed, but some kinetic and energetic parameters were significantly altered after detomidine administration compared to the saline group. These results show that administering low doses of detomidine to lame horses can be a useful sedative solution, ensuring a safe examination with lower side-effects.