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Objective: The effect of xylazine-ketamine on cardiovascular system and respiratory system was evaluated by measurement of arterial blood pressure, blood gases, temperature, heart and respiratory
rate.
Design: Self controlled study.
Animals: Five healthy sheep with an average weight of 21.4 kg were used in this study.
Procedure: Xylazine (0.2 mg/kg TM) was administrated 15 minutes
prior to utilization of ketamine (10 mg/kg IV) in all animals. All
baseline measurements (heart rate, respiratory rate and ...) were
taken before the xylazine administration and were taken again at 5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes intervals after induction of anesthesia with ketamine. Arterial catheters flushed with 2:1000 heparin solution were placed by using local anesthesia into the carotid
artery via a 5 cm skin incision for measuring arterial blood pressure
and collecting blood samples. Statistical analysis: Repeated measure analysis of variances design and least significant difference were used to analyze data.
Results: On the basis of these results, heart rate did not change
significantly. Mean arterial blood pressure decreased significantly
at 30,45, and 60 minutes after anesthesia. PaO2 declined significantly at 60 minutes and PaCO2 at first increased at 5 minute, then decreased at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes but remained significantly higher than before anesthesia, but respiratory rate did not change
significantly. Temperature declined significantly at 5, 15, 30, 45
and 60 minutes after anesthesia, Conclusion: According to this study, xylazine-ketamine combination
has a little depressant effect on cardiovascular system. This combination
is responsible for a little disturbed ventilation, decreased PaO2,
increased PaCO2 and declined body temperature in anesthesia. J.
Fac. Vet. Med. Univ. Tehran. 59, 3: 265-2 70, 2004