Randomized blind study of the antispasmodic effect of scopolamine and dipyrone on the gastrointestinal tract of healthy cattle

Scopolamine is a well-known drug that is commonly used in cattle in combination with dipyrone as a spasmolytic. However, the duration and intensity of the effect of the intramuscular administration of this combination in cattle on gastrointestinal motility have not been evaluated. The present study investigated the intensity and duration of the antispasmodic efficacy of a single combined dose of 0.2 mg/kg scopolamine and 25 mg/kg dipyrone administered intramuscularly in healthy cattle via reticular ultrasonography. Eighteen clinically healthy mixed-breed cattle (9 males and 9 females) were divided into two groups: (1) Control, which received only dipyrone, and (2) Treatment, which received scopolamine and dipyrone. Each animal's reticular motility was evaluated via ultrasound before medication and then observed at 10 time points over a 90 min period after administration. Statistical analysis revealed significantly lower reticular motility in the treatment group from 20 to 60 min after administration, with the peak effect occurring 30 min after administration. No side effects or adverse reactions were observed. The treatment group demonstrated significantly lower overall reticular motility than the control group. It is concluded that scopolamine and dipyrone, under these conditions, effectively decrease short-term gastrointestinal motility in cattle.