Clinical evaluation of continuous intravenous infusion of xylazine and ketamine for maintenance of an aesthesia in donkeys

Abstract EN

The aim of this study was to investigate some qualitative and quantitative aspects of total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) induced using Xylazine/Ketamine in local donkey breed.

Six animals (two females and four males) were used in the study.

The anaesthesia was either induced with Xylazine 2mg/kg /ketamine 4mg/kg (XK) or with Xylazine 2mg/kg/ketamine 4mg/kg and maintained with continuous infusion with Xylazine 2mg/kg/Ketamine 6mg/kg in saline drip (XKI).

Each animal was anaesthetized with one of the above mentioned protocols with two weeks interval between each successive injection as washing out period.

Physiological parameters: respiratory rate, heart rate and rectal temperature were monitored before, during and following induction of anaesthesia.

Induction quality, muscle relaxation, phases of anaesthesia and recovery time and quality were also studied.

Some blood biochemical values: blood urea, plasma glucose, ALT, and AST activity were measured before and during the effect of the anaesthetic protocols.

Results indicated that, heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature were affected significantly (p≤ 0.05) at different durations as a result of using each of the two protocols.

Both protocols produced smooth to fair induction.

Muscle relaxation occurred at variable degrees for different durations of time.

Recovery quality produced ranged between smooth, fair to rough quality.

Analgesia phase, lateral recumbancy phase and total recovery time were significantly prolonged (p≤ 0.05) as a result of using XKI.

Glucose level and blood urea concentration were affected significantly (p≤ 0.05) as a result of using XKI.

Here we conclude that, prolongation of anaesthesia using saline drip infusion containing both xylazine and ketamine would be a suitable alternative for Guaifenesin or top up doses maintenance in donkeys under field conditions.