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Anesthetic Agents and Protocols Used in South American Camelids

Anesthetic Agents and Protocols Used in South American Camelids

Drug

Use

Dose

Caution

Reversal

Comments

Lidocaine

Local anesthesia and nerve blocks

2–4 mg/kg

Doses >4 mg/kg are associated with toxicosis

Epidural anesthesia

1–2 mL

Do not add epinephrine

Diazepam

Sedation

0.05–0.2 mg/kg, IM or IV

Flumazenil 0.005–0.05 mg/kg, IM

Butorphanol

Sedation

0.05–0.1mg/kg, IM

Naloxone 0.03 mg/kg, IM

Butorphanol can be added to xylazine or other α2-adrenergic agonists for increased sedation and analgesia

Xylazine

Recumbent sedation

0.25–0.35 mg/kg, IV (llamas) 0.35–0.45 mg/kg, IV (alpacas)

Atipamezole at 5 times the dose of xylazine in milligrams, IM

Standing sedation

0.08–0.15 mg/kg, IV or 0.15–0.2mg/kg, IV (llamas) or 0.15–0.2 mg/kg, IM or 0.2–0.3 mg/kg, IM (alpacas)

Reverse with atipamezole at 5 times the dose of xylazine in milligrams, IM

Triple drip (5% guaifenesin [1 L],

ketamine [1,000 mg/L], xylazine [50–100 mg/L])

Longer procedures requiring recumbency and excellent muscle relaxation

For anesthetic induction: 1 mL/kg, IV;

for maintenance of anesthesia: 2 mL/kg/hr, IV, as a continuous rate infusion

Ketamine stun

Short minor procedures such as castrations requiring recumbency

Ketamine 0.22–0.33 mg/kg, xylazine 0.22–0.33 mg/kg, butorphanol 0.08–0.11 mg/kg (all drugs drawn up in one syringe and given IV)

This combination can also be given IM. Sedation will be slow onset and will not always cause recumbency