Comparison between Intramuscular and Intranasal Administration of Sedative Drugs Used for Piglet Castration
Andreas Breitenlechner,
Moritz Bünger,
Ursula Katharina Ruczizka,
Marlies Dolezal,
Ulrike Auer,
Andrea Buzanich-Ladinig
Affiliations
Andreas Breitenlechner
Clinical Unit of Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Intensive-Care Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
Moritz Bünger
Clinical Centre for Population Medicine in Fish, Pig and Poultry, Clinical Department for Farm Animals and Food System Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
Ursula Katharina Ruczizka
Clinical Centre for Population Medicine in Fish, Pig and Poultry, Clinical Department for Farm Animals and Food System Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
Marlies Dolezal
Platform for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
Ulrike Auer
Clinical Unit of Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Intensive-Care Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
Andrea Buzanich-Ladinig
Clinical Centre for Population Medicine in Fish, Pig and Poultry, Clinical Department for Farm Animals and Food System Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
The aim of this study was to test the intranasal administration of different anaesthetics in piglets less than seven days of age undergoing castration for their suitability for providing good-quality sedation and short induction and recovery time with minimal stress. Azaperone alone at a high (5 mg/kg), medium (3 mg/kg) and low dosage (2 mg/kg) and in two combinations with either alfaxalone or midazolam were applied intramuscularly (i.m.) or intranasally (i.n.) to 120 healthy piglets. Compared to intramuscular application, intranasal application showed longer induction times, shorter recovery times and higher scores for defence and vocalisation. In conclusion, the intranasal protocols did not meet the requirements in all groups and their use can therefore not be recommended. A rapid induction phase and good quality of sedation could not be guaranteed.
