Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Opioids are considered the "golden standard" in pain management for both humans and small animals, but is used less often in equine medicine - probably for fear of side effects. Are there any studies that suggest that side effects are a major problem, or is it lack of experience which is the greatest obstacle to use? As early as 1937 it was shown that morphine and morphine derivatives provide analgesia in horses. For species other than horses used opioids often both pre-, intra-and postoperatively. They relieve pain effectively and are often included in the anesthesia protocol. That way you can reduce the need for anesthetic gases and thus the risk of cardiovascular depression. In horses, it seems that there is a fine line between analgesia and excitation, which must be taken into account when used. There are also a number of side effects, mainly gastrointestinal, that makes people reluctant to use opioids. There is also a concern that the pain relief will mask a progressive disease state. This can be avoided with good monitoring of the horse's general condition, and adjustment of dose and dosing interval. The advantages with pain management is obvious, both from a physiological point of view and from a animal welfare perspective.