Dr. Rachel Reed on Utilizing Different Types of Opioids in Horses

Up to now on this podcast, we have been focusing our attention on new analgesic and sedative agents for dogs and cats. But what about horses? For this species, it seems like pain control is a mix between science and art, as robust pain management studies seem to lag behind smaller companion animals. Luckily, there are brilliant researchers out there helping to move the needle forward on pain management research that is desperately needed for this species. In this episode, host Dr. Bonnie Gatson is joined by fellow boarded veterinary anesthesiologist and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Georgia, Dr. Rachel Reed, to discuss her research in utilizing different types of opioids in horses. Together they will discuss the challenges of utilizing full-mu agonist opioids, like hydromorphone, morphine, and meperidine, in horses and why, perhaps, you should consider adding this powerful group of analgesic agents to your balanced analgesia protocol for equine patients. And if you have no interest in horses as a species, stick around to learn more about opioids as a class of drugs, which can be applicable to any species that you typically work with! If this episode has you wanting more, stay tuned for the next episode, where there will be an update on some of the pain management research that Dr. Reed alludes to in this episode. If you have questions for Dr. Reed regarding her pain management research in horses, she can be contacted at [email protected]. Check out her book on Equine Anesthesia and Pain Management [https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781498749589?gC=098f6bcd4&gclid=CjwKCAjwue6hBhBVEiwA9YTx8PtBTMaIp0NA9OH_RzVgzsQGrwoGeHi3dYzAz-LjkwE6LV8diwuTqxoCUSAQAvD_BwE]. If you like what you hear, consider becoming a member [https://www.mynavas.org/plans-pricing] of the North American Veterinary Anesthesia Society (NAVAS) for access to more anesthesia and analgesia educational and RACE-approved CE content. Thank you to our sponsor, Dechra [https://www.dechra-us.com/] - learn more about the pharmaceutical products Dechra has to offer veterinary professionals, such as Zenalpha. You can expect a new episode on the 15th, or just after, of each month. If you have question about this episode or if you want to suggest topics for future episodes, please reach out to the producers of this podcast at [email protected]. Special thanks to Chris Webster, Saul Jimenez, and Maria Bridges for making this podcast a reality.