Comparison of Xylazine and Lidocaine Effects for Analgesia and Cardiopulmonary Functions Following Lumbosacral Epidural Injection in Goats

Abstract

The present study was carried out in order to compare the effects of xylazine and lidocaine on analgesia and cardiopulmonary parameters following epidural injection in goats. Twelve healthy Small East African goats of both sexes (mean ± SD; 15.6 ± 1.9 kg body weight) were used. The goats were randomly assigned to two groups of five and seven animals. The first group (n = 5) was given 2 % lidocaine‐HCl at 4400 μg/kg body weight. The second group (n = 7) was administered 2 % xylazine‐HCl at 150 μg/kg body weight. All drugs were diluted in 5 ml of sterile water and were injected epidurally through the lumbosacral interspace with the injection taking over 20 s. Both drugs induced analgesia within 5 min. Signs of sedation, cardiopulmonary changes and lateral recumbency developed within 5–7 min after administration of epidural xylazine. Tail flaccidity and hind limb paralysis developed 3 min after epidural administration of lidocaine. The time from recumbency to regaining normal stance was 60 and 158 min for xylazine‐ and lidocaine‐treated animals respectively. Xylazine induced adequate analgesia of the flank and perineum, which extended to the head and forelimbs. In contrast, lidocaine induced adequate bilateral flank and perineal analgesia extending up to the third thoracic vertebra. For both drugs, analgesia of the flank and perineum persisted for the entire 180‐min observational period. Epidural injection of xylazine and lidocaine caused variable depression effects on the cardiopulmonary values but was not so low as to cause concern. It is concluded that lumbosacral epidural injection of xylazine at 150 μg/kg body weight in 5 ml of water for injection offers the most desirable sedation and analgesia of the flank and perineum. The longer duration of analgesia may be useful for postoperative analgesia and relief of continuous straining in goats.

A comparison of subarachnoid buprenorphine or xylazine as an adjunct to lidocaine for analgesia in goats

“…Based on experimental data in goats and other species (Mpanduji et al. 1999, 2001; Kinjavdekar et al.…”

“…Xylazine is an α 2 ‐agonist with potent analgesic effects following neuraxial administration in small ruminants (Waterman et al. 1988; Mpanduji et al. 1999, 2001; Aminkov et al.…”

“…2003). However, the administration of xylazine is associated with important depressant effects on cardiovascular (reduction of heart rate [HR] and cardiac output) and respiratory (reduction in respiratory rate [f R ] and tidal volume) function (Mpanduji et al. 1999, 2001; De Rossi et al.…”

“…Opioid and a 2 -adrenergic receptors are mainly located in the substantia gelatinosa of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, and they play an important role in spinal modulation of nociceptive input (Fü rst 1999). Xylazine is an a 2 -agonist with potent analgesic effects following neuraxial administration in small ruminants (Waterman et al 1988;Mpanduji et al 1999Mpanduji et al , 2001Aminkov et al 2002;De Rossi et al 2003;Haerdi-Landerer et al 2005;Kästner 2006). Experimentally, intrathecal administration of xylazine in goats at the level of the LS space has been shown to produce analgesia of the tail, perineum, hind limbs, flank and caudo-dorsal rib cage with a longer duration of action than ketamine or lidocaine (De Rossi et al 2003).…”

“…Experimentally, intrathecal administration of xylazine in goats at the level of the LS space has been shown to produce analgesia of the tail, perineum, hind limbs, flank and caudo-dorsal rib cage with a longer duration of action than ketamine or lidocaine (De Rossi et al 2003). However, the administration of xylazine is associated with important depressant effects on cardiovascular (reduction of heart rate [HR] and cardiac output) and respiratory (reduction in respiratory rate [f R ] and tidal volume) function (Mpanduji et al 1999(Mpanduji et al , 2001De Rossi et al 2003;Haerdi-Landerer et al 2005;Kästner 2006). Buprenorphine is a long-lasting, lipophilic, partial opioid receptor agonist with potent analgesic effects after neuraxial administration in both animals and humans (Bryant et al 1983;Cahill et al 1983;Lanz et al 1984;Gundersen et al 1986;Wolff et al 1986;Waterman et al 1991;Omote et al 1995;Morimoto et al 2001;Tejwani & Rattan 2002;Khan & Hamdami 2006).…”