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Buprenorphine

Grade

Opiate Analgesia

0.01-0.05 mg/kg, IV, IM, SC, q6-12h

Therapeutics

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  • Mild & Moderate Pain: Recommended

  • Chronic Pain: Recommended

  • Acute & Severe Pain: Not recommended because of a prolonged onset of action compared to many other opiates in most mammalian species (Cowan et al., 1977; Wootton et al., 1988; Rockwell, 2019).

Evidence

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Rabbit Buprenorphine Evidence Base

  1. Andrews, D.D., Fajt, V.R., Baker, K.C., Blair, R.V., Jones, S.H., Dobek, G.L., 2020. A Comparison of Buprenorphine, Sustained release Buprenorphine, and High concentration Buprenorphine in Male New Zealand White Rabbits. J. Am. Assoc. Lab. Anim. Sci. 59, 546–556. https://doi.org/10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-19-000132

  2. Barter, L.S., 2011. Rabbit analgesia. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 14, 93–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2010.09.003

  3. Bays, T.B., 2020. Geriatric Care of Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, and Chinchillas. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, Geriatrics 23, 567–593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2020.05.006

  4. Benato, L., Murrell, J., Blackwell, E., Saunders, R., Rooney, N., 2020. Pain and analgesia in pet rabbits: a survey of the attitude of veterinary nurses. J Small Anim Pract 61, 576–581. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13186

  5. Benato, Livia, Murrell, J.C., Blackwell, E.J., Saunders, R., Rooney, N., 2020. Analgesia in pet rabbits: a survey study on how pain is assessed and ameliorated by veterinary surgeons. Vet. Rec. 186, 603. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105071

  6. Bradley, M.P., Doerning, C.M., Nowland, M.H., Pasloske, K., Lester, P.A., 2022. Evaluation of alfaxalone total intravenous anesthesia in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) premedicated with dexmedetomidine or dexmedetomidine and buprenorphine. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 49, 308–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2022.01.006

  7. Cooper, C.S., Metcalf-Pate, K.A., Barat, C.E., Cook, J.A., Scorpio, D.G., 2009. Comparison of Side Effects between Buprenorphine and Meloxicam Used Postoperatively in Dutch Belted Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 48, 279–285.

  8. Cowan, A., Lewis, J. w., Macfarlane, I. r., 1977. Agonist and Antagonist Properties of Buprenorphine, a New Antinociceptive Agent. British Journal of Pharmacology 60, 537–545. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.1977.tb07532.x

  9. d’Ovidio, D., Adami, C., 2021. Neuropraxia after infraorbital nerve block in a pet rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 48, 817–819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2021.06.009

  10. Deflers, H., Gandar, F., Bolen, G., Farnir, F., Marlier, D., 2018. Influence of a single dose of buprenorphine on rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) gastrointestinal motility. Vet Anaesth Analg 45, 510–519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2018.01.011

  11. Difilippo, S.M., Norberg, P.J., Suson, U.D., Savino, A.M., Reim, D.A., 2004. A comparison of xylazine and medetomidine in an anesthetic combination in New Zealand White Rabbits. Contemp Top Lab Anim Sci 43, 32–34.

  12. DiVincenti, L., Meirelles, L.A.D., Westcott, R.A., 2016. Safety and clinical effectiveness of a compounded sustained-release formulation of buprenorphine for postoperative analgesia in New Zealand White rabbits. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 248, 795–801. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.248.7.795

  13. Edis, A., Pelligand, L., Baldrey, V., Hedley, J., 2022. Effect of theatre temperature on body temperature during anaesthesia for routine neutering of domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 49, 173–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2021.06.019

  14. Flecknell, P.A., Liles, J.H., 1990. Assessment of the analgesic action of opioid agonist-antagonists in the rabbit. Journal of the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland 17, 24–29. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2995.1990.tb00384.x

  15. Flenghi, L., Bernhard, C., Levrier, C., Bulliot, C., 2021. Rectal prolapse in two rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculi) with rectal neoplasia. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 39, 64–67. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2021.08.003

  16. Furuki, I., 1997. [Diffusion of bupivacaine into the intercostal muscle following interpleural analgesia]. Masui 46, 1299–1304.

  17. Gardhouse, S., Sanchez, A., 2022. Rabbit Sedation and Anesthesia. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, Sedation and Anesthesia of Zoological Companion Animals 25, 181–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2021.08.012

  18. González-Gil, A., Villa, A., Millán, P., Martínez-Fernández, L., Illera, J.C., 2015. Effects of Dexmedetomidine and Ketamine-Dexmedetomidine with and without Buprenorphine on Corticoadrenal Function in Rabbits. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 54, 299–303.

  19. Grint, N.J., Murison, P.J., 2008. A comparison of ketamine-midazolam and ketamine-medetomidine combinations for induction of anaesthesia in rabbits. Vet Anaesth Analg 35, 113–121. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2995.2007.00362.x

  20. Haddad Pinho, R., Luna, S.P.L., Esteves Trindade, P.H., Augusto Justo, A., Santilli Cima, D., Werneck Fonseca, M., Watanabe Minto, B., Del Lama Rocha, F., Miller, A., Flecknell, P., Leach, M.C., 2022. Validation of the rabbit pain behaviour scale (RPBS) to assess acute postoperative pain in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). PLoS One 17, e0268973. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268973

  21. Hedenqvist, P., Roughan, J., Orr, H., Antunes, L.M., 2001. Assessment of ketamine/medetomidine anaesthesia in the New Zealand White rabbit. Vet Anaesth Analg 28, 18–25. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1467-2995.2001.00019.x

  22. Hedenqvist, P., Trbakovic, A., Thor, A., Ley, C., Ekman, S., Jensen-Waern, M., 2016. Carprofen neither reduces postoperative facial expression scores in rabbits treated with buprenorphine nor alters long term bone formation after maxillary sinus grafting. Research in Veterinary Science 107, 123–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2016.05.010

  23. Henke, J., Astner, S., Brill, T., Eissner, B., Busch, R., Erhardt, W., 2005. Comparative study of three intramuscular anaesthetic combinations (medetomidine/ketamine, medetomidine/fentanyl/midazolam and xylazine/ketamine) in rabbits. Vet Anaesth Analg 32, 261–270. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2995.2005.00242.x

  24. Hoffmann, J.N., Steinhagen, S., Kast, C., Scheuber, H.P., Jochum, M., Gippner-Steppert, C., Inthorn, D., Schildberg, F.W., Nolte, D., 2002. Chronic left heart catheterization for microvascular blood flow determination in the rabbit: a minimally invasive technique using specially designed port devices. J Surg Res 102, 119–125. https://doi.org/10.1006/jsre.2001.6280

  25. Hubbell, J.A., Muir, W.W., 1996. Evaluation of a survey of the diplomates of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine on use of analgesic agents in animals used in biomedical research. J Am Vet Med Assoc 209, 918–921.

  26. Kim, M.S., Jeong, S.M., Park, J.H., Nam, T.C., Seo, K.M., 2004. Reversal of medetomidine-ketamine combination anesthesia in rabbits by atipamezole. Exp Anim 53, 423–428. https://doi.org/10.1538/expanim.53.423

  27. Leach, M.C., Allweiler, S., Richardson, C., Roughan, J.V., Narbe, R., Flecknell, P.A., 2009. Behavioural effects of ovariohysterectomy and oral administration of meloxicam in laboratory housed rabbits. Research in Veterinary Science 87, 336–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2009.02.001

  28. Lichtenberger, M., Ko, J., 2007. Anesthesia and Analgesia for Small Mammals and Birds. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, Emergency and Critical Care 10, 293–315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2006.12.002

  29. Liles, J.H., Flecknell, P.A., 1994. A comparison of the effects of buprenorphine, carprofen and flunixin following laparotomy in rats. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 17, 284–290. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2885.1994.tb00247.x

  30. Luo, M., Yun, X., Chen, C., Bao, N., Feng, X., Pan, L., Jin, Z., Wu, C., Wang, X., Papadimos, T.J., Xu, X., 2016. Giving Priority to Lipid Administration Can Reduce Lung Injury Caused by Epinephrine in Bupivacaine-Induced Cardiac Depression. Reg Anesth Pain Med 41, 469–476. https://doi.org/10.1097/AAP.0000000000000424

  31. Martin-Flores, M., Singh, B., Walsh, C.A., Brooks, E.P., Taylor, L., Mitchell, L.M., 2017. Effects of Buprenorphine, Methylnaltrexone, and Their Combination on Gastrointestinal Transit in Healthy New Zealand White Rabbits. J. Am. Assoc. Lab. Anim. Sci. 56, 155–159.

  32. Murphy, K.L., Roughan, J.V., Baxter, M.G., Flecknell, P.A., 2010. Anaesthesia with a combination of ketamine and medetomidine in the rabbit: effect of premedication with buprenorphine. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 37, 222–229. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2995.2009.00525.x

  33. Palmer, A., Wu, C.C., Miwa, Y., Turek, M., Sladky, K.K., 2021. Outcomes and survival times of client-owned rabbits diagnosed with thymoma and treated with either prednisolone or radiotherapy, or left untreated. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 38, 35–43. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2021.04.008

  34. Raillard, M., Detotto, C., Grepper, S., Beslac, O., Fujioka-Kobayashi, M., Schaller, B., Saulacic, N., 2019. Anaesthetic and Perioperative Management of 14 Male New Zealand White Rabbits for Calvarial Bone Surgery. Animals (Basel) 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9110896

  35. Raillard, M., Michaut-Castrillo, J., Spreux, D., Gauthier, O., Touzot-Jourde, G., Holopherne-Doran, D., 2017. Comparison of medetomidine—morphine and medetomidine—methadone for sedation, isoflurane requirement and postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing laparoscopy. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 44, 17–27. https://doi.org/10.1111/vaa.12394

  36. Robinson, A.J., Müller, W.J., Braid, A.L., Kerr, P.J., 2016. The effect of buprenorphine on the course of disease in laboratory rabbits infected with myxoma virus: Laboratory Animals. https://doi.org/10.1258/002367799780578129

  37. Rockwell, K., 2019. Buprenorphine. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 30, 12–16. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2018.10.002

  38. Sabater, M., Mancinelli, E., Denk, D., 2021. Renal embryonal nephroma exhibiting malignant features in a Dutch rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 37, 18–21. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2021.01.001

  39. Sakuraba, S., Tsujita, M., Arisaka, H., Takeda, J., Yoshida, K., Kuwana, S.-I., 2009. Donepezil reverses buprenorphine-induced central respiratory depression in anesthetized rabbits. Biol Res 42, 469–475. https://doi.org//S0716-97602009000400008

  40. Schnellbacher, R.W., Divers, S.J., Comolli, J.R., Beaufrère, H., Maglaras, C.H., Andrade, N., Barbur, L.A., Rosselli, D.D., Stejskal, M., Barletta, M., Mayer, J., Rodriguez, P., Quandt, J.E., 2017. Effects of intravenous administration of lidocaine and buprenorphine on gastrointestinal tract motility and signs of pain in New Zealand White rabbits after ovariohysterectomy. Am. J. Vet. Res. 78, 1359–1371. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.78.12.1359

  41. Schroeder, C.A., Smith, L.J., 2011. Respiratory Rates and Arterial Blood Gas Tensions in Healthy Rabbits Given Buprenorphine, Butorphanol, Midazolam, or Their Combinations. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science 50, 205–211.

  42. Shafford, H.L., Schadt, J.C., 2008. Respiratory and cardiovascular effects of buprenorphine in conscious rabbits. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 35, 326–332. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2995.2007.00383.x

  43. Tikhomirov, M., Antończyk, A., Śniegocki, T., Jajor, P., Świtała, M., Skrzypczak, P., Kiełbowicz, Z., Posyniak, A., Pelligand, L., Pozniak, B., 2021. Intravenous lipid emulsion as a treatment in buprenorphine overdose - pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation in the rabbit model. Toxicology Letters 350, S81. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4274(21)00436-7

  44. Vieu, S., Dekerle, B., Monge, E., Raymond, P., Vial, J., Maurice, E., 2022. Surgical treatment of a shoulder joint luxation combined to a Salter-Harris type I fracture of the proximal humerus in a pet rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2022.07.003

  45. Weaver, L.A., Blaze, C.A., Linder, D.E., Andrutis, K.A., Karas, A.Z., 2010. A Model for Clinical Evaluation of Perioperative Analgesia in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 49, 845–851.

  46. Wenger, S., 2012. Anesthesia and Analgesia in Rabbits and Rodents. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine, Clinical Anesthesia and Analgesia 21, 7–16. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2011.11.010

  47. Wootton, R., Cross, G., Wood, S., West, C.D., 1988. An analgesiometry system for use in rabbits with some preliminary data on the effects of buprenorphine and lofentanil. Lab. Anim. 22, 217–222. https://doi.org/10.1258/002367788780746395

Expert Opinion

  1. 1317822 |  221109 Extrapolation of pharmacological properties in man and veterinary species. Some material employed in collating the data displayed here was taken from veterinary product datasheets or extrapolated from pharmacology texts.


Last Update by 1317822 | on 221109

Monograph Details

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