Evaluation of the sedative and clinical effects of xylazine, detomidine, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine in miniature donkeys.

Aim: To evaluate the sedative and clinical effects of I/V xylazine, detomidine, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine in miniature donkeys. Methods: Seven clinically healthy, male adult miniature donkeys with a mean age of 6 years and weight of 105 kg, were assigned to five I/V treatments in a randomised, cross-over design. They received either 1.1 mg/kg xylazine, 20 μg/kg detomidine, 10 μg/kg medetomidine, 5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine or saline, with a washout period of ≥7 days. The degree of sedation was scored using a 4-point scale by three observers, and heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature and capillary refill time (CRT) were recorded immediately before and 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after drug administration. Results: All saline-treated donkeys showed no sedation at any time, whereas the donkeys treated with xylazine, detomidine, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine had mild or moderate sedation between 5 and 60 minutes after treatment, and no sedation after 90 minutes. All animals recovered from sedation without complication within 2 hours. The mean HR and RR of saline-treated donkeys did not change between 0 and 120 minutes after administration, but the mean HR and RR of donkeys treated with xylazine, detomidine, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine declined between 5 and 60 minutes after drug administration. The mean rectal temperature of all treated donkeys did not change between 0 and 120 minutes after administration. The CRT for all donkeys was ≤2 seconds at all times following each treatment. Conclusions and clinical relevance: Administration of xylazine at 1.1 mg/kg, detomidine at 20 μg/kg, medetomidine at 10 μg/kg and dexmedetomidine at 5 μg/kg resulted in similar sedation in miniature donkeys. Therefore any of the studied drugs could be used for sedation in healthy miniature donkeys.