A case report on the use of guaifenesin-ketamine-xylazine anesthesia for equine dystocia.
Abstract: In 4 mares suffering from dystocia, general anesthesia was induced with xylazine (1.1 mg/kg, IV) and ketamine (2.2 mg/kg, IV) and maintained with continuous intravenous infusion of ketamine (2 mg/ml), xylazine (0.5 mg/ml) and guaifenesin (50 mg/ml) in 1 L of 5% dextrose. The duration of the procedure of these mares were 40, 45, 180, and 35 minutes, respectively. For procedures required more than 1 hour (Mare 3), the dose of ketamine and xylazine in the mixture was reduced to 1 mg/ml and 0.25 mg/ml, respectively. Average infusion rate of the mixture used to maintain anesthesia for each mare was 2.5, 2.67, 2.28, and 2.21 ml/kg/hr. Recovery to standing occurred at 55, 75, and 180 minutes after termination of infusion for mares 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Xylazine reversal agent, tolazoline (2.2 mg/kg), was given to mare 1 to hasten the recovery; the mare stood within 30 minutes after tolazoline administration. Continuous infusion of guaifenesin-ketamine-xylazine can be an alternative anesthetic technique for prolonged obstetrical procedures under field conditions when suitable anesthetic equipment is not available. If recovery to standing is extended over 30 to 40 minutes, yohimbine or tolazoline can be administered to hasten recovery.
Publication Date: 1994-01-01 PubMed ID: 8313710
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Summary
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The research article focuses on how guaifenesin-ketamine-xylazine anesthesia was effectively used in treating four mares experiencing dystocia, a difficulty in giving birth, as an alternative anesthetic technique in field conditions without proper anesthetic equipment. An observed advantage of this anesthetic method was its potential to hasten recovery to standing by using reversal agents.
Anesthesia Preparation and Usage
- The general anesthesia for the horses was initially induced with xylazine and ketamine, which are known for their anesthetic properties.
- Maintenance of the anesthesia was done through a continuous intravenous infusion of a mixture of the same anesthetic drugs (xylazine and ketamine) with addition of guaifenesin, a muscle relaxant, in a solution of dextrose to provide energy while under anesthesia.
Procedure Duration and Anesthesia Adjustment
- The duration of the equine obstetrical procedures varied from 35 to 180 minutes. For procedures that took over an hour, the dosage of ketamine and xylazine in the anesthesia mixture was reduced.
- The average rate of the anesthesia mixture infusion used to maintain the unconscious state in each mare ranged from approximately 2.21 to 2.67 ml/kg/hr.
Post-Anesthesia Recovery
- Time taken for the horses to recover to a standing position occurred between 55 minutes to 180 minutes from the time the anesthesia infusion was stopped.
- One mare was given tolazoline, a reversal agent for xylazine, which resulted in hastened recovery – standing within 30 minutes following the administration of tolazoline.
Significance of the Findings
- The study suggests that continuous infusion of guaifenesin-ketamine-xylazine could provide an effective alternative anesthetic technique for prolonged obstetric procedures particularly in situations when adequate anesthetic equipment is not available.
- A prolonged recovery to standing position over 30 to 40 minutes can potentially be improved with the administration of yohimbine or tolazoline.
Cite This Article
APA
Lin HC, Wallace SS, Robbins RL, Harrison IW, Thurmon JC.
(1994).
A case report on the use of guaifenesin-ketamine-xylazine anesthesia for equine dystocia.
Cornell Vet, 84(1), 61-66.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Surgery and Medicine, Auburn University, AL 36849-552.
MeSH Terms
- Anesthesia, General / veterinary
- Anesthesia, Obstetrical / veterinary
- Animals
- Dystocia / surgery
- Dystocia / veterinary
- Extraction, Obstetrical / veterinary
- Female
- Guaifenesin
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Ketamine
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Outcome
- Xylazine
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