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Lidocaine is commonly used in the treatment of postoperative ileus in horses. It is also used to prevent or treat postoperative ileus and reduce the effects of intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury. While the clinical efficacy of lidocaine has not been evaluated in a large population, it has been associated with enhanced short-term survival of horses after colic surgery. In this regard, it is important to consider whether the intravenous administration of lidocaine causes muscle fasciculations in horses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lidocaine treatment | 1.3 mg/kg intravenously as a bolus followed by a 0.05 mg/kg/min infusion |
| Number of horses in the study | 32 |
| Number of horses with muscle fasciculations | 3 (18%) |
| Fecal passage | Horses that responded to lidocaine passed feces within 16 hours of starting the infusion |
| Hospitalization time | Shorter hospitalization time for survivors |
| Survival to discharge | Equivalent survival to discharge |
| Physical or laboratory variables | No clinically significant changes |
| Incisional infections, jugular thrombosis, laminitis, or diarrhea | No difference in the rate |
| Side effects | Minimal |
| Toxicity signs | Eye blinking, anxiety, mild sedation, ataxia and collapse |
| Adverse reactions | Attributed to the accumulation of lidocaine or its principal metabolites MEGX and GX |
| Survival benefit | Enhanced short-term survival of horses after colic surgery |
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What You'll Learn
Lidocaine treatment for postoperative ileus in horses
Lidocaine is a local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic drug that is commonly used in the treatment of postoperative ileus (POI) in horses. POI is a condition that causes a lack of movement in the intestines, which can lead to a buildup of stomach contents and reflux.
Intravenous continuous infusion of lidocaine has been studied as a potential treatment for POI in horses, with promising results. In one study, horses that responded to the treatment passed feces within 16 hours of starting the infusion, and had shorter hospitalization times compared to those treated with a placebo. The treatment was also found to have no clinically significant changes in physical or laboratory variables, and no difference in the rate of incisional infections, jugular thrombosis, laminitis, or diarrhea.
However, one minor side effect observed in 18% of the lidocaine-treated horses was muscle fasciculations, which are involuntary muscle contractions. This side effect is minor and has not been found to have any significant clinical impact, but further research is needed to minimize its occurrence during treatment.
Overall, the use of intravenous lidocaine has been shown to significantly improve medical outcomes for horses with ileus, and is considered a safe and efficient treatment method. It is important, however, to evaluate the cost-benefits of this treatment as it can add significantly to treatment costs.
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Lidocaine's impact on muscle fasciculations
Lidocaine is a local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic drug that is commonly used in veterinary medicine. It is often administered intravenously to horses to treat postoperative ileus (POI) or enteritis, conditions causing a lack of movement in the intestines.
While lidocaine has been found to significantly improve medical outcomes for horses with ileus, with shorter hospitalization times and no clinically significant changes in physical or laboratory variables, it has also been associated with a minor side effect: muscle fasciculations.
Muscle fasciculations are involuntary muscle contractions that occurred in 18% of horses treated with lidocaine (3 out of 32 horses in one study). This side effect is considered minor, but further research is recommended to minimize any potential adverse effects during treatment.
The occurrence of muscle fasciculations during lidocaine infusion may be influenced by the drug's concentration in the body. One study found that lidocaine and MEGX serum concentrations were sampled during the experiment, and the presence of muscle fasciculations was evaluated. The mean lidocaine concentration during the infusion was found to be correlated with the occurrence of muscle fasciculations.
In summary, while lidocaine is generally considered safe and effective for treating equine ileus, it can cause muscle fasciculations in a small percentage of horses. This side effect is minor, but further research is needed to fully understand and minimize its occurrence during treatment.
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Lidocaine dosage for horses
Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic agent that is widely used in equine medicine. It is administered to horses via intravenous continuous infusion, bolus, or subcutaneous injection. The dosage of lidocaine for horses can vary depending on the purpose of the treatment and the specific needs of the horse.
In one study, horses with postoperative ileus (POI) or enteritis were administered a dosage of 1.3 mg/kg intravenously as a bolus, followed by a 0.05 mg/kg/min infusion for 24 hours. This treatment resulted in positive outcomes, with 65% of the lidocaine-treated horses stopping reflux within 30 hours, compared to only 27% of the saline-treated horses.
Another study by Lester GD et al. in 1992 examined the effects of lidocaine on general anaesthesia in horses. The specific dosage and administration method were not mentioned, but the study found that lidocaine affected the myoelectric activity of the intestine in horses.
A study by Rimbäck G et al. in 1990 investigated the treatment of postoperative paralytic ileus with intravenous lidocaine infusion. The dosage and duration of treatment were not specified, but the study found that lidocaine helped speed up the return of bowel function, decrease postoperative pain, and shorten hospital stays.
It is important to note that lidocaine is considered an Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) Class 2 foreign substance. This means that if residues are found in post-race urine samples, regulators may impose substantial penalties. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully consider the dosage and timing of lidocaine administration in performance horses.
In summary, the dosage of lidocaine for horses can vary depending on the condition being treated and the specific needs of the horse. It is important to work closely with a veterinarian to determine the appropriate dosage and administration method to ensure the safety and well-being of the horse.
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Side effects of lidocaine in horses
Lidocaine is a medication that is commonly used to treat postoperative ileus in horses and to prevent or reduce the effects of intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury. It has been associated with enhanced short-term survival of horses after colic surgery.
While generally considered safe, there are some side effects associated with the use of lidocaine in horses. The most commonly reported signs of toxicity include eye blinking, anxiety, mild sedation, muscle fasciculation, ataxia, and collapse. In one study, 18% of horses treated with lidocaine (3 out of 17) experienced muscle fasciculations.
Lidocaine is metabolized by the liver and can cause toxicosis in animals with hepatic disease at standard administration rates. The adverse reactions are usually associated with too high an infusion rate, leading to a high lidocaine serum concentration. Other side effects of lidocaine administration in horses may include a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, increased duodenal contractions, and a loss of balance.
In addition, while lidocaine has been shown to reduce the duration of hospitalization, it does not appear to significantly impact short-term survival rates. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanism of action and any potential long-term effects of lidocaine treatment in horses.
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Lidocaine's effectiveness in treating colic in horses
Lidocaine is a widely used spasmolytic for managing abdominal pain in horses. It is also used to treat postoperative ileus and reduce the effects of intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Despite its common use, there is limited evidence supporting the use of perioperative lidocaine as a therapy for POI.
In a 2016 study, researchers investigated whether intravenous lidocaine improved outcomes in horses following surgical management of small intestinal lesions. The study found that lidocaine therapy had no effect on the prevalence of postoperative reflux, total reflux volume, duration of reflux, or postoperative survival in horses undergoing surgical management of small intestinal disease for the treatment of colic.
However, another study from 2006 found that intravenous lidocaine significantly improved the clinical course in refluxing horses with minimal side effects. In this study, 65% of lidocaine-treated horses stopped refluxing within 30 hours, compared to only 27% of saline-treated horses. Additionally, horses that responded to lidocaine passed feces within 16 hours of starting the infusion, resulting in shorter hospitalization times compared to placebo treatment.
The authors of the 2016 study also noted that intravenous lidocaine had become more frequently used in the perioperative management of horses undergoing surgical management of small intestinal lesions for the treatment of colic, especially in horses at increased risk of POI. They aimed to investigate whether routine use of lidocaine in this population altered rates of postoperative survival or was a risk factor for altered survival.
While the evidence for the effectiveness of lidocaine in treating colic in horses is mixed, it is important to note that the decision to perform surgery on a horse with colic should be made promptly. Many veterinarians use the response to analgesic treatment to determine colic cases that require surgery, and early surgical intervention can improve outcomes.
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Frequently asked questions
Lidocaine is used in veterinary medicine as a local anesthetic and as an anti-arrhythmic for treating animals with ventricular tachycardia. It is also used to treat horses with intestinal ileus, a condition causing a lack of movement in the intestines.
Yes, muscle fasciculations occurred in 3 out of 32 horses (18%) treated with lidocaine. This minor side effect involves involuntary muscle contractions.
Lidocaine has been associated with enhanced short-term survival of horses after colic surgery. However, eye blinking, anxiety, mild sedation, ataxia, and collapse are some of the most commonly reported signs of toxicity in clinical use.
