XYLAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE EPIDURAL ANALGESIA - A METHOD OF PROVIDING SEDATION AND ANALGESIA TO FACILITATE CASTRATION OF MATURE BULLS

Epidural administration of xylazine hydrochloride produces caudal anal gesia in horses and cattle. In cattle, epidural administration of xyla zine hydrochloride at a dose of 0.07 mg/kg diluted in saline produces analgesia of the flank in addition to sedation. For analgesia of the s crotum to be produced for castration, nerves as far cranial as L1 must be blocked. The objective of the cited study is to determine whether epidural administration of xylazine hydrochloride produces sufficient analgesia and sedation for castration of mature bulls to be facilitate d. Spinal alpha2 receptors inhibit the afferent pain pathways in the s pinal cord. The result is a relatively selective blockade of sensory i nformation without loss of motor function, Analgesic effects are well tolerated in healthy animals, but epidural administration of xylazine hydrochloride should be avoided in animals with cardiovascular or pulm onary disease.