Opioid‐free anaesthesia protocol for standing spinal surgery in a horse

Abstract

AbstractOpioid‐free anaesthesia is a growing field in human and veterinary medicine. Several adverse effects have been reported related to the administration of opioids in horses, including the propensity to produce excitement, ataxia and gastrointestinal stasis. However, opioids have traditionally been the mainstay of pain relief in both the human and veterinary field. The feasibility of an opioid‐free anaesthesia protocol in a horse that underwent multiple subtotal spinous process ostectomies is reported here. Instead of traditional opioid therapy, a detomidine continuous‐rate infusion and a bilateral ultrasound‐guided erector spinae block was performed to provide analgesia. The authors concluded that opioid‐free surgical anaesthesia protocols may be feasible in horses undergoing multiple subtotal spinous process ostectomies. Gaining experience with these protocols may be advantageous when the use of opioids is to be avoided.