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Cardiovascular and haemodynamic effects of intramuscular doses of xylazine in conscious sheep
Author(s) -
GRANT C,
UPTON RN
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2001.tb10642.x
Subject(s) - xylazine , hemodynamics , medicine , anesthesia , intramuscular injection , ketamine
Objective To determine if a commonly used analgesic dose of xylazine has detrimental cardiovascular or haemodynamic effects in sheep. Design A physiological study following intramuscular administration of xylazine. Procedure Xylazine (50 μg/kg) was injected intramuscularly into six healthy Merino ewes. For 60 min heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure and cardiac output were recorded; arterial blood samples for the measurement of blood gas tensions were also collected. Results There were no significant changes in heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, cardiac output or arterial carbon dioxide tension. A slight degree of arterial hypoxaemia was noted with a 10% reduction in arterial oxygen tension values at 30 min. Conclusion The minimal changes to cardiovascular and respiratory values in this study verify the safety of previously suggested analgesic dosing regimens for sheep. Previously reported hypoxaemic effects in sheep as a result of intravenous xylazine administration appear to be reduced as a result of intramuscular administration.