There are many methods of anaesthesizing the dogs. One
of them is the use of xylazine and ketamine IV. I
believe this is seldom used as each vet has his own
preferences. For example, I use xylazine tranquilisation
IM and halothane and nowadays isoflurane gas anaesthesia
over the past 20 years of practice and I find it to be
very effective and safe, with rapid recovery.
However, old dogs can learn new tricks and I always ask
other vets what anaesthesia they use. There is a great
variety.
My associate vet loves to use Domitor pre-anaesthetic
dosage, isoflurane and then Anti-sedan reversal. Another
vet loves the xylazine/ketamine combination for
anaesthesia. Another one loves zoletil injectable
anaesthesia. Other vets may premedicate with ACP and use
domitor + diazepam.
The following is my observation of xylazine:ketamine IV
anaesthesia I used in one 26-kg, 5-year-old Labrador
Retriever yesterday to treat a lick granuloma of the LH
D5 toe.
THE GENERAL GUIDELINE FROM ONE VET
FOR XYLAZINE:KETAMINE IV ANAESTHESIA IN DOGS
FOR ANAESTHESIA
26kg, 5-year old dog
Xylazine 2% at 2.3 ml
Ketamine 100mg/ml at 0.3 ml
In one syringe, the total is 2.6 ml, IV
FOR SEDATION, the dosage is reduced as follows:
26kg, 5-year old dog
Xylazine 2% at 1.3 ml
Ketamine 100mg/ml at 0.3 ml
In one syringe, the total is 1.6 ml. IV
This was what I gave to the dog
After 1 minute, the dog was sedated.
After 5 minutes, I injected prednisolone into his large
LH 5th digit granuloma. Slick flicker of pain reaction.
He was sedated well.
Recovery
He took more than half an hour to wake up and more than
1 hour to stand up. I did not given any anti-xylazine
reversal as ketamine is involved and may cause
excitation effects.
CONCLUSION
I prefer dogs to be standing up within 2 minutes of the
end of a procedure or surgery. So, I will not be using
this method. It will be good for cases where there are
no gas machines. This is why I am recording this case
for the benefit of vets who may not have anaesthetic gas
facilities.
P.S.
XYLAZINE + KETAMINE IM IN DOGS
From this practitioner who is experienced in this method
of anaesthesia, there is a general formula for
xylazine:ketamine IV anaesthesia in adult dogs.
For example, 26 kg, 5-year-old dog
Xyalzine 2.3 ml + ketamine 0.3 ml = 2.6 ml in one
syringe.
This is a general formula and must be reduced according
to health, age and weight.
XYLAZINE + KETAMINE IM IN CATS
I find this method most effective and safe for cat spays
and neuters and short surgeries of <30 minutes. My
dosage is
For cats below 2 kg, xylazine 0.1 ml + ketamine 0.4 ml
IM = 0.5 ml in one syringe.
For cats 6-8 kg, xylazine 0.2 + ketamine 0.8 ml = 1.0 ml
in one syringe.
For cats 2-6 kg, xylazine 0.15 ml + ketamine 0.6 ml IM =
0.75 ml in one syringe.
GENERAL GUIDELINE FOR IV ANAESTHESIA
More ketamine in cats, less in dogs.
TOA
PAYOH VETS
