Anesthetic Agents and Protocols Used in South American Camelids

Lidocaine

Local anesthesia and nerve blocks

2–4 mg/kg, locally infiltrated into target tissue

Doses >4 mg/kg are associated with toxicosis.

Epidural anesthesia

1–2 mL, epidurally

Do not add epinephrine.

Diazepam

Sedation

0.05–0.2 mg/kg, IV

Flumazenil 0.1–0.2 mg/kg, IV

Butorphanol

Sedation

0.05–0.1 mg/kg, IM or IV

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

Llamas: 0.25–0.35 mg/kg, IV

Alpacas: 0.35–0.45 mg/kg, IV

Atipamezole at 0.1 times the dose of xylazine in milligrams, IM

Standing sedation

Llamas: 0.08–0.15 mg/kg, IV; or 0.15–0.2 mg/kg, IM or SC

Alpacas: 0.15–0.2 mg/kg, IV; or 0.2–0.3 mg/kg, IM or SC

Reverse with atipamezole at 0.1 times the dose of xylazine in milligrams, IM

Triple drip (5% guaifenesin [1 L],

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

Procedures < 60 min that require recumbency and excellent muscle relaxation

Induction: 1 mL/kg, IV 

Maintenance: 2 mL/kg/h, IV, CRI

Ketamine stun 

Short, minor procedures, such as castrations, that require recumbency

Ketamine (0.22–0.55 mg/kg) + xylazine (0.22–0.55 mg/kg) + butorphanol (0.08–0.11 mg/kg), all combined in one syringe, IV

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