Analgesic and cardiopulmonary effects of premedication with tramadol in calves anesthetized with the infusion of guaifenesin and thiamylal

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 83; no. 12; pp. 1988 - 1993
• Main Authors: KIM, Ahram, SASAKI, Naoki, LEE, Inhyung, LEE, Kyuyoung, SEO, Jong-Pil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 2021; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: analgesia; Analgesics - therapeutic use; Analgesics, Opioid; Anesthesia, General - veterinary; Animals; calf; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - drug therapy; Guaifenesin; pain; Pain, Postoperative - drug therapy; Pain, Postoperative - veterinary; Premedication - veterinary; Surgery; Thiamylal - therapeutic use; Tramadol; tramadol; pain; calf; analgesia; surgery
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.21-0196

This study examined the analgesic and cardiopulmonary effects of intravenous (IV) tramadol during general intravenous anesthesia in calves. Calves were premedicated with diazepam (0.2 mg/kg, IV) with tramadol (2 mg/kg, IV) (group T) or saline (group S). Anesthesia was induced by thiamylal sodium (4 mg/kg, IV) and maintained with an infusion (2 ml/kg/hr) of 5% guaifenesin containing thiamylal sodium (2 mg/ml). Additional thiamylal sodium (1–2 mg/kg, IV) was administered when interference from the calves was observed during surgery. The total counts of additional thiamylal sodium administration, analgesia score using a visual analog scale, recovery time, and cardiopulmonary function in the different groups were assessed and compared. Group T showed significantly fewer counts of additional drug administration and a significantly higher analgesia score. Tramadol may provide adequate analgesia with minimal cardiopulmonary changes in calves during general anesthesia.