Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A case report on the use of guaifenesin-ketamine-xylazine anesthesia for equine dystocia.
- Journal:
- The Cornell veterinarian
- Year:
- 1994
- Authors:
- Lin, H C et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Large Animal Surgery and Medicine
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In this study, four mares experiencing difficult births (dystocia) were put under general anesthesia using a combination of medications. They received xylazine and ketamine through an IV, with a mixture that included guaifenesin to keep them asleep during the procedure. The length of the anesthesia varied from 35 to 180 minutes, depending on the mare and the complexity of the situation. Recovery times also differed, with most mares standing again within about an hour, although one mare took longer and needed an additional medication to help her recover faster. Overall, this method of anesthesia can be a good option for long procedures when the usual equipment isn't available, and additional medications can help if recovery takes too long.
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.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8313710/