The use of drugs that induce sedation and analgesia are commonly used in equines to perform small
diagnostic medicais procedures or as anesthetic premedication in larger procedures. The most
commonly used agents are alpha-2 adrenergic agonists, with dexmedetomidine representing this
class. Few studies have been carried out using sedative drugs in stationary mules to assess their
physiological and recovery effects. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the physiological
effects, quality of sedation and analysis of recovery from sedation using dexmedetomidine and the
reverser atipamezole in mules. The project was evaluated and certified by the CEUA of the Faculty
of Sciences of Tocantins (CEUA/FACIT.TO), nº 05.2021/02. Seven healthy, adult mules were used,
with a mean weight of 376 kg and a mean age of 17 years, which received a dose of 5 mcg/kg of
dexmedetomidine intravenously. Sedative effects were evaluated before (T0) and every 10 minutes
for a period of one hour (T10 to T60) after administration of dexmedetomidine, through the variation
of head height from the ground (HHAG), degree of ataxia, and responses to tactile (pelvic, thoracic
and ear), auditory and visual stimuli. Additionally, heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP) and diastolic
(DBP) blood pressure and respiratory rate (RR), in addition to intestinal motility (MINT) and blood
glucose were analyzed. Immediately after T60, atipamezole was administered at a dose of 25 mcg/kg
intramuscularly, and heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (HR) and gastrointestinal motility (Mint), 10
(M10) and 60 were evaluated. (M60) minutes later. Data were submitted to ANOVA analysis of
variance, using the F test with a 95% significance interval (p<0.05) and the Tukey test with a 95%
confidence interval (p<0.05) to verify the difference. significant difference between the times for
each parameter. There was a decrease in heart rate in the initial 30 minutes, a decrease in intestinal
motility, and a significant increase in glucose. Regarding the sedative effects, the animals showed a
significant reduction in the height of the head above the ground, severe ataxia, and a decrease in the
response to tactile, visual and auditory stimuli during the first 20 minutes. After using the reverser,
intestinal motility was restored. It is concluded that the administration of dexmedetomidine in mules
promotes cardiac depression, intestinal hypomotility and hyperglycemia, but its use proved to be
safe with no complications in the animals of the study. It also promotes severe sedative effects and
its use is safe and effective for procedures lasting up to 30 minutes. And atipamezole reversed the
hypomotility effects caused by the use of the alpha-2 agonist.
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