Anaesthetic compound and its application in general anaesthesia of horses

The effects of a modified combination of th ree agents were assessed in the case of 3 experimental horses and 12 patients of a clinic. After being pre -medicated with a small dose of butorphanol and detomidine, each horse was put under anaesthetic by a rapid I.V. infusion (0.5 ml/kg) of a compound co ntaining 100 mg of glycerol guaiacolate, 2 mg of ketamine, and 1 mg of xyla zine in 1 mi of 5% dextrose (mixture A). The horses went under slowly and q uietly: no traumatic complications were noted, Anaesthesia was maintained b y continuous I.V: administration of the same drug composition but of higher concentration, In 1 mi of 5% dextrose: 200 mg of glycerol guaiacolate, 6 m g of ketamine, and 3 mg of xylazine (mixture B). Pilot studies had revealed that the infusion of mixture B at a rate of 3.5 ml/500 kg/h produced adequ ate and useful surgical tolerance. The average duration of the anaesthesia was 56 min (+/-12). The proposed technique provides satisfactory, uneventfu l induction, stable anaesthesia and smooth recovery. After anaesthesia the horses were recumbent for a short time (24 min +/-12) without any signs of excitement. In twelve of fifteen cases of anaesthesia the horses stood up a t the first attempt. Respiratory and heart rate stayed within physiological ranges. According to the authors, this kind of procedure is relatively ine xpensive and easy. That is why it gives an opportunity for the broader use of socalled total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) in horses.