Lidocaine-xylazine Lumbosacral Epidural Anesthesia for Surgical Resection of Umbilical Structures in Calves

Abstract

Surgical resection of umbilical structures in calves is most frequently done using intravenous or intramuscular administration of xylazine/ketamine with or without inhalation anesthetic agents. We were interested in examining the efficacy of a practical and inexpensive alternative anesthetic protocol for umbilical surgery, specifically intramuscular xylazine sedation combined with lumbosacral epidural administration of lidocaine and xylazine.