Use of Propofol–Xylazine and the Anderson Sling Suspension System for Recovery of Horses from Desflurane Anesthesia

Abstract

Technique choices to facilitate individualized, atraumatic recovery of horses from general anesthesia are desirable. Use of IV propofol and xylazine to transition horses from desflurane anesthesia during sling recovery to standing posture may facilitate improved recovery management of high-injury risk equine patients requiring general anesthesia.

Effects of ketamine, propofol, or thiopental administration on intraocular pressure and qualities of induction of and recovery from anesthesia in horses

“…In the present study, it was hypothesized that the quality of recovery from anesthesia after administration of propofol would be better than that after administration of the other 2 drugs, as suggested by results of some studies. 25,49,50 We also hypothesized that propofol administration would be associated with a shorter recovery time because of its pharmacokinetic profile. 51 However, no significant difference in recovery quality or recovery time was evident among the 3 drug treatments.…”

Evaluation of infusions of xylazine with ketamine or propofol to modulate recovery following sevoflurane anesthesia in horses

“…When an infusion of xylazine and ketamine was used to modulate recovery from isoflurane anesthesia in horses, 10 the overall mean score for recovery quality (2.0) was similar to that of the present study. Other studies 14,15 in horses have revealed that apnea was commonly associated with xylazine-propofol infusions following desflurane anesthesia. The same may not be true for desflurane anesthesia followed by an infusion of xylazine-propofol, which was associated with a mean recovery quality score of 1.2 (ie, an almost excellent recovery).…”

“…10,14,15 After disconnection from the anesthetic breathing circuit, each horse received supplemental oxygen, insufflated at 15 L/min via the endotracheal tube, as long as it remained in lateral recumbency. Each horse was briefly hoisted so that the thick pad could be removed; each horse was then carefully lowered and repositioned in left lateral recumbency on the floor of the recovery stall, at which time videotape recording of the recovery from anesthesia commenced.…”

“…In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the use of injectable anesthetic agents, such as xylazine, ketamine, propofol, and guaifenesin, for maintenance of anesthesia in horses partly because of reports 7,8 published during the 1990s that suggested superior quality of recoveries when injectable drugs were used for maintenance of anesthesia. 14,15 The primary hypothesis for the study reported here was that prolongation of sedation and recumbency by use of a xylazine-ketamine or xylazine-propofol infusion administered during the first 15 to 30 minutes after discontinuation of sevoflurane inhalation would result in an improved quality of recovery from anesthesia in horses, compared with the quality of recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia alone. However, because of possible prolonged or difficult recoveries associated with excessive accumulation of injectable drugs and the time required for drug metabolism, long-term maintenance of anesthesia with currently available injectable drugs is still not generally recommended.…”

Arterial oxygen tension and pulmonary ventilation in horses placed in theAndersonSling suspension system after a period of lateral recumbency and anaesthetised with constant rate infusions of romifidine and ketamine

“…Steffey et al . showed that horses placed in the AS after 4 h of desflurane anaesthesia had low arterial oxygen pressure (PaO 2 ). Since these horses received xylazine and a propofol constant rate infusion during sling recovery, the question remains whether hypoxaemia resulted from pharmacologically induced respiratory depression or from adverse mechanical effects of the sling on breathing and regional blood flow.…”