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

Abstract

Standing surgical procedures are performed commonly in horses under sedation. The use of a xylazine and remifentanil combination has not been investigated in horses. We proposed to evaluate behavioral and cardiopulmonary effects of an intravenous (IV) infusion of xylazine with remifentanil for sedation in horses. Xylazine (0.8 mg/kg IV) followed in 3 minutes by remifentanil (0.0005 mg/kg IV), and a constant rate infusion of xylazine and remifentanil (0.65 mg/kg/h; 0.0225 mg/kg/h, respectively) was administered in three horses. Heart rate, respiratory rate (RR), arterial blood pressures, quality of sedation, pH, partial pressure of arterial CO2 (PaCO2), partial pressure of arterial O2 (PaO2), ataxia, sedation, and sedation overall outcome were assessed. Heart rate and RR remained within normal values during sedation without significant changes from baseline. Systolic, mean, and diastolic arterial blood pressures were increased during sedation. There were no significant changes in pH, PaCO2, and PaO2. Sedation developed immediately after injection of xylazine in the three horses but did not increase after remifentanil bolus or IV infusion of both drugs. None of the mares had ataxia. Adverse effects during and after sedation were present: excitement, increase in locomotor activity, and decrease in the gastrointestinal motility. The combination of xylazine and remifentanil sedation protocol produces adverse effects. This protocol cannot be recommended for clinical conditions, at the described doses.