Behavioral and Cardiopulmonary Effects of a Constant Rate Infusion of Remifentanil–Xylazine for Sedation in Horses

Abstract

Xylazine and remifentanil in constant rate infusion (CRI) could be used for sedation in horses without adverse effects. The objective was to evaluate behavioral and cardiopulmonary effects of an intravenous (IV) infusion of xylazine and remifentanil for sedation in horses. Xylazine (0.8 mg/kg IV) followed after 3 minutes by a CRI of xylazine and remifentanil (0.65 mg/kg/h and 6 μg/kg/h, respectively) was administered in 10 healthy horses for 60 minutes. Sedation, ataxia, and cardiopulmonary, hematological, and blood gases variables were evaluated. Heart rate decreased significantly during the first 25 minutes after CRI of xylazine and remifentanil, whereas the respiratory rate showed a significant decrease at 20 minutes and remained significantly low until the endpoint. There were no statistically significant fluctuations in blood arterial pressure, blood pH, partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide, lactate, creatinine, calcium, chlorine, and sodium, compared with baseline values. Blood partial pressure of arterial oxygen and bicarbonate values were significantly higher compared with baseline values, whereas potassium decreased. Sedation and ataxia developed immediately after the administration of xylazine in all horses. All horses recovered successfully within 10 minutes after interruption of the CRI of xylazine and remifentanil, with no ataxia. No adverse effects were observed. The use of a combination of xylazine and remifentanil as sedation protocol has no adverse effects at the described dosage.