Caudal Epidural Xylazineor Xylazine/Lidocainecombination in Camels (Camelus Dromedarius) and its Reversal by Atipamezole

Author(s): Mohamed Shokry, Abdelhaleem Elkasapy

Caudal epidural xylazine 2% (0.15 mg/kg) or xylazine (0.10 mg/kg) /lidocaine 2% (0.22 mg/kg) combination anesthesia through the first intercoccygeal space was evaluated in 8 camels (16 trials). The total volume administered was fixed at 5.0 ml by adding 0.9% NaCl. The onset of epidural anesthesia was significantly faster (P<0.05) with xylazine/lidocaine (3.5 ± 0.4 minutes) than with xylazine (8.4 ± 0.4 minutes) while the duration was significantly longer ( P>0.05) with xylazine/lidocaine (98.3 ± 1.0 minutes) than with xylazine (71.6 ± 1.8 minutes). The reversal of epidural xylazine or xylazine/lidocaine induced- analgesia with IV atipamezole at (5.0 µg/kg, 10.0 µg/kg or 15.0µg/kg) was evaluated in 8 camels (13 trials). The total volume administered was fixed at 5.0 ml by adding 0.9% NaCl. Atipamezole at 15.0 µg/kg was the optimum dose rate for reversing the analgesic effect and provoked marked signs of arousal within few seconds without any side effects. We can concluded that caudal epidural anesthesia was easily performed in camels in standing position with xylazine or its combination with lidocaine. IV atipamezole at 15.0µg/kg for effectively reversing the induced caudal epidural anesthesia.