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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, 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.