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- Author or Editor: Karen C. Walker x
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Abstract
Objective—To determine whether iontophoretic administration of dexamethasone to horses results in detectable concentrations in synovial fluid, plasma, and urine.
Animals—6 adult mares.
Procedure—Iontophoresis was used to administer dexamethasone. Treatments (4 mA for 20 minutes) were administered to a tarsocrural joint of each mare. The drug electrode contained 3 ml of dexamethasone sodium phosphate at a concentration of 4 or 10 mg/ml. Samples of synovial fluid, blood, and urine were obtained before and 0.5, 4, 8, and 24 hours after each treatment. All samples were tested for dexamethasone using an ELISA. Synovial fluid also was evaluated for dexamethasone, using high-performance liquid chromatography.
Results—The lower and upper limits of detection for dexamethasone in synovial fluid with the ELISA were 0.21 and 1.5 ng/ml, respectively. Dexamethasone administered at a concentration of 10 mg/ml was detected by the ELISA in synovial fluid of 5 mares from 0.5 to 24 hours and in urine of 4 mares from 0.5 to 8 hours after each treatment, but it was not detected in plasma. Mean synovial fluid concentration of dexamethasone was 1.01 ng/ml. Dexamethasone administered at a concentration of 4 mg/ml was detected by the ELISA in urine of 2 mares at 0.5 and 4 hours after treatment, but it was not detected in synovial fluid or plasma.
Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—Iontophoresis cannot be considered an effective method for delivery of dexamethasone to synovial fluid of horses, because drug concentrations achieved in this study were less than therapeutic concentrations. (Am J Vet Res 2002;63:11–14)
Abstract
Objective—To determine the serum concentrations and sedative effects of fentanyl after transdermal administration at 3 dosages in llamas.
Animals—9 healthy adult female llamas (mean age, 8 ± 3 years; mean weight, 150 ± 18 kg).
Procedure—Llamas were allocated to 1 of 3 groups (3 llamas/group). Fentanyl patches (each providing transdermal delivery of 75 µg of fentanyl/h) were placed on shaved areas of the antebrachium of all llamas. In group 1, llamas were treated with 1 patch (anticipated fentanyl dosage, 75 µg/h). In group 2, llamas were treated with 2 patches (anticipated fentanyl dosage, 150 µg/h). In group 3, llamas were treated with 4 patches (anticipated fentanyl dosage, 300 µg/h). For each llama, the degree of sedation was assessed by use of a subjective scoring system and a blood sample was collected for determination of serum fentanyl concentration at 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 hours after patch placement.
Results—Following the placement of 4 patches, mean ± SD serum fentanyl concentration in group 3 llamas reached 0.3 ± 0.08 ng/mL within 12 hours. This concentration was sustained for 72 hours. In group 2, application of 2 patches provided inconsistent results; in group 1, application of 1 patch rarely provided measurable serum fentanyl concentrations. No llamas became sedated at any time.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that application of four 75 µg/h fentanyl patches provides consistent, sustained serum fentanyl concentrations without sedation in llamas. However, the serum concentration of fentanyl that provides analgesia in llamas is not known. (Am J Vet Res 2005;66:907–909)
