Currently, detomidine is licensed for use only in non-meat horses in the United States, but it is also licensed for use in cattle in Europe and Australia.[2][3] Detomidine's withholding period is 12–72 hours for dairy cattle and 2–3 days for meat cattle.[3]
Properties
Detomidine is a sedative with analgesic properties.[4] α2-adrenergic receptor agonists produce dose-dependent sedative and analgesic effects, mediated by activation of α2catecholamine receptors, thus inducing a negative feedback response, reducing production of excitatory neurotransmitters. Due to inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system, detomidine also has cardiac and respiratory effects and an antidiuretic action.[5]
Pharmacology
Detomidine is an α2-adrenergic receptor agonist that binds at a ratio of 260:1 with imidazoline receptor activity.[3]
Veterinary use
Detomidine is administered intramuscularly. Oral transmucosal has been investigated and is used in some countries although it has poor bioavailability of around 20–25%.[3]Intravaginal administration in the horse and alpaca has induced sedation.[3]
Detomidine administration in sheep activates pulmonary macrophages that damage the endothelium of capillaries and alveolar type I cells. This in turns causes alveolar haemorrhage and oedema causing hypoxaemia.[3][6][7]
^ abcdefLamont LA, Creighton CM. "Sedatives and Tranquilizers". In Lamont L, Grimm K, Robertson S, Love L, Schroeder C (eds.). Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, The 6th Edition of Lumb and Jones. Wiley Blackwell. pp. 338–344. ISBN978-1-119-83027-6.
^England GC, Clarke KW (November 1996). "Alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonists in the horse--a review". The British Veterinary Journal. 152 (6): 641–657. doi:10.1016/S0007-1935(96)80118-7. PMID8979422.
^Fornai F, Blandizzi C, del Tacca M (1990). "Central alpha-2 adrenoceptors regulate central and peripheral functions". Pharmacological Research. 22 (5): 541–554. doi:10.1016/S1043-6618(05)80046-5. PMID2177556.
^CS C, OS A, WN M, WD B (Feb 1999). "Histopathologic alterations induced in the lungs of sheep by use of alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonists". American Journal of Veterinary Research. 60 (2). Am J Vet Res: 154–161. ISSN0002-9645. PMID10048544.
^Celly C, McDONELL W, Young S, Black W (1997). "The comparative hypoxaemic effect of four α 2 adrenoceptor agonists (xylazine, romifidine, detomidine and medetomidine) in sheep". Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 20 (6): 464–471. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2885.1997.00097.x. PMID9430770.