Abstract
Objective
To design an effective intravenous (IV) anaesthetic combination for field use in mules.
Study design
Descriptive study.
Animals
Six healthy adult mules.
Methods
Xylazine 1.3 mg kg−1 was administered IV and the quality of sedation was recorded. Anaesthesia was induced
with 0.03 mg kg−1 diazepam and 2.2 mg kg−1 ketamine IV. Times to sternal recumbency, lateral recumbency and standing were recorded.
Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (fR), rectal temperature and haematological parameters were recorded at baseline and
at 5, 15 and 45 minutes post-administration. Additionally, levels of antinociception
according to responses to a pin prick test, and the quality of muscle relaxation and
recovery were scored.
Results
Times (mean ± standard deviation) to sternal and lateral recumbency were 1.3 ± 1.3
minutes and 1.8 ± 1.3 minutes, respectively, with hypertonicity of the pelvic limbs.
Standing ataxia and normal gait were seen at 25.5 ± 19.0 minutes and 32.8 ± 7.9 minutes,
respectively. Five minutes after induction of anaesthesia, the quality of antinociception
was judged to be good to excellent (0 ± 1 on a scale of 0–3), muscle relaxation of
the jaw incomplete (2 ± 1 on a scale of 1–4) and quality of recovery was very good
to excellent (2 ± 1 on a scale of 1–5). The duration of anaesthesia was only 15.3
± 1.6 minutes. Significant changes were observed only in HR at 15 minutes and fR at 5 minutes. Changes in rectal temperature and haematological parameters following
anaesthesia were non-significant.
Conclusions and clinical relevance
The combination of xylazine–diazepam–ketamine provides effective short-term anaesthesia
in mules under field conditions.
Keywords
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 4,
2014
Received:
May 5,
2014
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
