Racemic ketamine in comparison to S-ketamine in combination with azaperone and butorphanol for castration of pigs

Abstract

In this prospective blinded randomised study, 28 male 9 week old pigs of bodyweight 25 kg, were anaesthetised for castration using 5 mg/kg azaperone, 0.2 mg/kg butorphanol and 0.4 mg/kg meloxicam, in conjunction with either 15 mg/kg racemic ketamine (Keta-Race) or 9 mg/kg S-ketamine (S-Keta), all drugs being injected intramuscularly. Anaesthesia induction, maintenance and recovery were timed and scored. Insufficient anaesthesia was supplemented with ¼ the initial dose of ketamine or S-ketamine, respectively, administered intravenously. A t-test was utilised for analysis of timings, and, for repeated recovery time data, ANOVA was used. In relation to quantification and timing of supplemental drug doses, a chi square test was used and the scoring was analysed by two sample Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Ketamine re-dosing was required in 23 animals on a total of 46 occasions distributed evenly throughout both groups. The only group differences occurred during recovery, with the S-Keta group showing earlier movements, sternal recumbency and ability to stand. Three pigs in each group showed muscle fasciculations during the recovery period, while an additional two animals of the Keta-Race group exhibited marked and unacceptable paddling in recovery. In conclusion, S-ketamine at a dose rate of 60 % of that of racemic ketamine induced comparable anaesthesia for castration in pigs, but with superior recovery characteristics.

Evaluation of different dose rate combinations of ketamine, romifidine and azaperone for castration of 3-4 and 5-6 weeks old piglets

“…In G56 only the predetermined maximum dosages of anaesthetics (20 mg/kg ketamine, 4 mg/kg azaperone, 0.2 mg/kg romifidine,) resulted in a satisfying anaes thetic quality for castration in 11 of 15 animals and calm recoveries, that were prolonged in 4 pigs. This is much better than previously reported in a study (Bettschart Wolfensberger et al, 2013) with 9 weeks old pigs from the same research group, where 23 of 28 pigs anaesthe tized with standard dose rates of ketamine, azaperone and butorphanol required one or several additional dos es of ketamineazaperone in order to enable castration (BettschartWolfensberger et al, 2013). In contrast to this, the same standard anaesthetic protocol for piglet castration produced good to very good anaesthesia in all 140 piglets, that were tested (Nussbaumer et al, 2011), maybe as a consequence of differences in scoring sys tems or genetics of the piglets.…”

“…The achievement of a satisfying anaesthesia by intra muscular injection of anaesthetics is a challenging task in pigs (BettschartWolfensberger et al, 2013;Berchtold, 2015). To the knowledge of the authors, there is no re liable oneshot intramuscular injection protocol for castration of pigs that provides deep and safe anaesthe sia with smooth recoveries.…”

Optimization of analgesia for piglet castration under isoflurane anaesthesia with parenteral butorphanol, meloxicam or intratesticular lidocaine

“…Nussbaumer et al (2011) described mild excitatory behaviour in some cases during induction of anaesthesia using a combination of ketamine, azaperone and butorphanol IM for castration in pigs of different ages. Bettschart-Wolfensberger et al (2013) reported paddling in two out of 28 nine weeks old pigs receiving azaperone, butorphanol, ketamine and meloxicam. None of these authors related these side effects to butorphanol.…”

Effects of intramuscular alfaxalone-midazolam combination in pigs

“…Several drugs have been combined and investigated in pigs for i.m. administration: ketamine, alfaxalone, tiletamine-zolazepam, tranquillizers (such as azaperone) and α2-agonists (Sakaguchi et al 1995;Hall et al 2001;Keats 2003;Kim et al 2007;Ajadi et al 2008;Bettschart-Wolfensberger et al 2013;Santos González et al 2013;Santos et al 2016).…”

“…Therefore, it could be a good alternative to ketamine or tiletamine-zolazepam previously used in this species (Nishimura et al 1992;Sakaguchi et al 1995;Sweitzer et al 1997;Kim et al 2007;Ajadi et al 2008;Heinonen et al 2009;Lee and Kim 2012;Bettschart-Wolfensberger et al 2013;De Monte et al 2015;Santos et al 2016) that can often cause a rough and stressful recovery (Malavasi 2015).…”