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Open research questions in Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia

44 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 385 Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of the MDA method on animal welfare. The MDA method should be compared to other non-invasive methods for delivering analgesics in laboratory rodents. The pharmacokinetics of other analgesics when administered via the MDA method should be evaluated.

    Carprofen and buprenorphine delivery using micropipette-guided drug administration (MDA) in mice · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for non-invasive, minimally stressful drug delivery systems for laboratory rodents. Current methods for pain relief in rodents have limitations, including causing additional stress and pain. The pharmacokinetics of carprofen and buprenorphine when administered via non-invasive methods are not well understood.

    Carprofen and buprenorphine delivery using micropipette-guided drug administration (MDA) in mice · 2026 · DOI

  • The increasing misuse of xylazine and its association with skin ulcers and related infections is a public health concern. The lack of understanding of the pharmacological interplay between xylazine and tolazoline is a challenge. The development of effective treatments for xylazine misuse is a challenge.

    Tolazoline, an alpha-adrenergic antagonist, may also block xylazine at off-target sites as inferred from molecular docking · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies are needed to investigate the transporter-mediated dynamics and PK/PD modeling of xylazine and tolazoline. The study's findings may inform the development of new treatments for xylazine misuse.

    Tolazoline, an alpha-adrenergic antagonist, may also block xylazine at off-target sites as inferred from molecular docking · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of effective and safe pain management strategies for neurosurgical interventions in small companion animals. The need for alternative pain management regimens that reduce the risks associated with traditional opioid-based analgesia.

    Protocol of premedication with Vetcoxib® in neurosurgical interventions in small companion animals: results of a prospective controlled study · 2026 · DOI

  • Effective pain control in cats is challenging due to their unique physiology. The use of opioids has limitations, and alternative methods are needed. The lack of validated pain scales makes it difficult to assess pain effectively.

    Bloqueio do plano transverso do abdômen e serrátil ventral em gatas submetidas a mastectomia total - relato de casos · 2026 · DOI

  • Working donkeys are exposed to harsh environmental and management conditions, which compromise their health and welfare. Cardiovascular disease in donkeys is most commonly related to acquired valvular disease. There is a need for safe sedation protocols in working donkeys.

    Echocardiographic effects of medetomidine, butorphanol, and their combination in donkeys · 2026 · DOI

  • The use of xylazine as an adulterant has created a public health emergency due to increased addiction-related deaths and adverse effects. The impact of xylazine on the pharmacological effects of opioids remains poorly understood.

    Xylazine-induced diuresis in rats is attenuated by κ-opioid receptor and α2-adrenoceptor antagonists · 2026 · DOI

  • Further investigation into IM dosing protocols is needed before it can be recommended in clinical patients.

    Intramuscular tranexamic acid results in lower peak plasma concentrations but comparable systemic absorption to intravenous administration in healthy dogs · 2026 · DOI

  • ABSTRACT Quinidine has long been used for the pharmacological treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in horses; however, the plasma concentration required for conversion to sinus rhythm remains unclear.

    Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Analysis of Quinidine‐Induced Dominant Frequency Reduction in Thoroughbred Horses With Atrial Fibrillation · 2026 · DOI

  • Evidence was insufficient to recommend for or against NSAIDs for welfare-related outcomes or as antimicrobial substitutes.

    European Network for Optimization of Veterinary Antimicrobial Therapy (ENOVAT) guidelines for antimicrobial and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in bovine respiratory disease · 2026 · DOI

  • The study identifies a gap in the understanding of the role of opioid involvement in the shock-elicited activity and escape deficits produced by inescapable shock. The study aims to investigate the effects of naltrexone on the shuttlebox escape learning and unconditioned activity deficits produced by inescapable shock.

    Analgesic and opioid involvement in the shock-elicited activity and escape deficits produced by inescapable shock · 1983 · DOI

  • The study had a small sample size (n = 38). The study only examined the effects of thiopentone sodium on pigs. More research is needed to explore the effects of thiopentone sodium on animal welfare and potential impacts on the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

    Potential of Thiopentone Sodium to Induce Euthanasia in Pigs · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for humane and efficient methods for euthanizing pigs. There is limited information on the dose-dependent effect of thiopentone sodium on inducing euthanasia in pigs.

    Potential of Thiopentone Sodium to Induce Euthanasia in Pigs · 2026 · DOI

  • Small sample size (28 dogs). Limited to a single surgical procedure (ovariohysterectomy). No long-term follow-up to assess potential delayed adverse effects.

    Intraoperative magnesium sulphate as an analgesic adjunct in a multimodal, opioid-sparing protocol for canine ovariohysterectomy: a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind study · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigation of magnesium sulphate's effects on long-term postoperative pain and recovery. Evaluation of magnesium sulphate's efficacy in other surgical procedures. Comparison of different magnesium sulphate dosing regimens and administration protocols.

    Intraoperative magnesium sulphate as an analgesic adjunct in a multimodal, opioid-sparing protocol for canine ovariohysterectomy: a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind study · 2026 · DOI

  • The use of scalp EEG is limited by movement artifacts and signal fidelity. The review included studies with moderate risk of bias. The paper highlights the need for further research to address the limitations of the current study.

    Electrophysiologic evidence of loss of consciousness in cattle during slaughter with and without stunning: a systematic review and methodological overview · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for further research to address the limitations of the current study. There is a need for more accurate measurements of the time to loss of consciousness in cattle during slaughter. There is a need for more research on the use of electrophysiologic methods to assess loss of consciousness in cattle.

    Electrophysiologic evidence of loss of consciousness in cattle during slaughter with and without stunning: a systematic review and methodological overview · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the protocol in cats. There is a need to evaluate the use of atipamezol as a potential reversal agent.

    EFEITOS DA COMBINAÇÃO DE DEXMEDETOMIDINA E METADONA NA SEDAÇÃO DE GATOS COM E SEM O EMPREGO DO ATIPAMEZOLE · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of studies on the use of TAP and SP blocks in cats. The current literature on pain control in cats is limited. There is a need for more research on effective pain control methods in cats.

    Bloqueio do plano transverso do abdômen e serrátil ventral em gatas submetidas a mastectomia total - relato de casos · 2026 · DOI

  • The need for a comprehensive review of surgical diseases, anesthetic management, and pharmacological treatment strategies in laboratory rodents. The importance of a comprehensive understanding of rodent anatomy, physiology, and behavior for effective surgical and anesthetic management.

    Surgical Diseases, Anesthetic Management, and Pharmacological Treatment Strategies in Laboratory Rodents: Rats, Mice, and Hamsters – A Comprehensive Review · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of information on the pharmacokinetics and physiological effects of amantadine in horses. The efficacy and safety of amantadine for pain management in horses have not been well studied.

    Assessment of pharmacokinetic parameters, oral bioavailability, and physiological effects of amantadine in horses · 2026 · DOI

  • The safety profile of tolfenamic acid after multiple administration needs to be assessed. There is a lack of information on the safety of tolfenamic acid for use in veterinary medicine.

    Animal study of NSAID agent (Tolfenamic acid) for safety profile assessment after multiple administration · 2026 · DOI

  • There is limited information on the cardiac safety of α2-adrenoceptor agonists and opioid combinations in donkeys. The echocardiographic effects of medetomidine, butorphanol, and their combination in donkeys are not well understood.

    Echocardiographic effects of medetomidine, butorphanol, and their combination in donkeys · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of comprehensive information on the pharmacokinetic profile of dipyrone in horses and donkeys. There may be interspecies differences in the pharmacokinetics of dipyrone between horses and donkeys.

    Perfil farmacocinético da dipirona em equinos e asininos: Protocolo de revisão sistemática · 2026 · DOI

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44 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 385 Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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