Cl. Kerr et al., A COMPARISON OF ROMIFIDINE AND XYLAZINE WHEN USED WITH DIAZEPAM KETAMINE FOR SHORT-DURATION ANESTHESIA IN THE HORSE/, Canadian veterinary journal, 37(10), 1996, pp. 601-609
The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate sedation with in
travenous xylazine (1.1 mg/kg bodyweight [BW]) versus intravenous romi
fidine (100 mu g/kg BW) followed by induction of anesthesia with intra
venous diazepam (0.04 mg/kg BW) and ketamine (2.2 mg/kg BW). Twelve he
althy horses were used in a blinded, randomized, cross-over design. He
art rate, presence of 2nd degree atrioventricular heart blocks (2 degr
ees AVB), respiratory rate, arterial blood pressures, blood gases, pac
ked cell volume, total serum proteins, and duration of anesthesia and
recumbency were recorded. Induction and recovery quality was evaluated
using a 0 to 4 score. Response to stimulation with noise, pressure, a
nd cutaneous electrical stimulation was assessed at 5 minute intervals
during recumbency to evaluate the depth of anesthesia. Heart rate was
lower and 2 degrees AVB more frequent in the romifidine group, while
blood pressure was lower in the xylazine group. Duration of anesthesia
was longer in the romifidine group ((x) over bar 20.8, s((x) over bar
) 2.3 min) versus the xylazine group ((x) over bar 15.8, s((x) over ba
r) 1.6 min), while induction and recovery were excellent in both group
s. Respiratory rates, blood gas values, packed cell volumes, and total
. protein levels did not differ between groups. The results indicate t
hat romifidine premedication followed by diazepam and ketamine is a ve
ry satisfactory regime for short duration intravenous anesthesia in ho
rses.