What Does Atropine Cause In Horses?

Introduction: Atropine is an essential part of the treatment protocol for equine uveitis. Topical atropine administration has been associated with decreased intestinal motility and abdominal pain in horses. Experimental studies have indicated that frequent dosing is associated with a higher risk than dosing every 6 h.

Why should atropine be used cautiously in horses?

Atropine should be used with caution, because even low doses may cause tachycardia, ileus, neurologic derangement, and blurred vision in horses. Glycopyrrolate is twice as potent as atropine in humans and does not cross the blood-brain barrier.

Why atropine is contraindicated in horse?

The horse, especially, seems more sensitive to atropine as a dose of more than 0.01 mg/kg subcutaneously can give adverse effects. Indeed, by its paralytic effect on the gastro-intestinal tract, severe colic can be provoked.

What are some complications of atropine sulfate?

Side Effects

• Blurred vision.
• change in color vision.
• difficulty seeing at night.
• eye pain or stinging.
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse.
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight.

How long does atropine dilation last in horses?

Conclusions: Duration of mydriasis after administration of 1% atropine sulfate ophthalmic solution in the normal equine eye is greater than 14 days. Horses of the Arabian breed and female horses may be more sensitive to effects of cholinergic blockade in the eye.

What are main adverse effects of atropine?

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• Bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils.
• blindness.
• chest pain, discomfort, or tightness.
• decreased vision.
• decrease in urine volume.
• decrease in frequency of urination.
• difficulty in passing urine.
• eye pain.

What are the side effects of atropine?

These include dryness of the mouth, blurred vision, dry eyes, photophobia, confusion, headache, dizziness, fatigue, tachycardia, palpitations, flushing, urinary hesitance or retention, constipation, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting, loss of libido, and impotency.

Can atropine be used in horses?

Introduction: Atropine is an essential part of the treatment protocol for equine uveitis. Topical atropine administration has been associated with decreased intestinal motility and abdominal pain in horses.

When should you not give atropine?

Atropine should be avoided with bradycardia caused by hypothermia and, in most cases, it will not be effective for Mobitz type II/Second-degree block type 2 or complete heart block.

What does atropine do for animals?

Atropine is administered to block the effect of certain nervous system impulses (acetylcholine) on receptors throughout the body. In animals, like dogs and cats, it is most often used when an animal is undergoing anesthesia for surgery to block the undesirable effects of nervous system stimulation.

What is atropine toxicity?

In overdose, atropine can cause tachycardia, agitation, delirium, dilated pupils, dry mucous membranes, dry skin, and hypoactive bowel sounds. These phenomena have been described even with attempted therapeutic ophthalmic use.

How long does atropine effects last?

How long do the effects of the atropine last? The blurred vision, caused by the atropine, will last for approximately seven days after the last instillation. The dilated pupil may remain for as long as 14 days.

How long does it take for atropine to work?

Usually atropine drops take about 1 hour to work. The exact time varies for each child. Blue eyes are more sensitive to the medication and dilate faster than brown eyes. Brown eyes can take longer to dilate.

What happens to the heart rate after treatment with atropine?

Atropine increases the heart rate and improves the atrioventricular conduction by blocking the parasympathetic influences on the heart.

How long can a horse delay labor?

It is possible for mares to stop stage one labor if they sense a threat (or if they just want some privacy!), and they can hold off for hours, or even days.

Does atropine slow heart?

Low-dose atropine slows heart rate but does not change overall levels of MSNA. High-dose atropine causes a decrease in MSNA and tachycardia.

What does atropine do and how does it work?

Atropine competes with acetylcholine for cholinergic receptor sites on the SA and AV nodes. By blocking acetylcholine, atropine speeds up the heart rate. At specific doses, it prohibits vagal cardiac slowing or asystole. However, a large dose may occasionally cause atrioventricular (A-V) block.

When should atropine be used as a vet?

Why has my veterinarian prescribed this medicine? Atropine sulfate is used in the eye to dilate the pupil. It may also be used to control pain in the eye due to corneal and uveal disease and in treating secondary glaucoma.

What does atropine do to smooth muscle?

Conclusions: Atropine has both a contraction effect at lower concentrations and a relaxation effect at higher concentrations on cavernosal smooth muscle.

What can you give a horse to sedate them?

The most commonly used sedatives and tranquilizers in horses are:

• Xylazine. Xylazine is a common equine sedative.
• Romifidine. Romifidine is an alpha-2 agonist that is similar to xylazine but with longer duration and less associated ataxia.
• Detomidine.
• Acepromazine.
• Diazepam and Midazolam.

Why is atropine given at end of life?

These medicines help to prevent the formation of secretions that can cause problems in your respiratory tract. Your respiratory tract is the part of your body involved with breathing. The secretions can build up if you are unable to clear your own throat and can cause noisy breathing which can be distressing.