Medetomidine/ketamine sedation in calves and its reversal with atipamezole |
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| Authors: | M Raekallio M Kivalo H Jalanka† O Vainio‡ |
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| Institution: | College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Hameentie 57, SF-00580 Helsinki;*College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Embryology, SF-00580 Helsinki;?Helsinki Zoo, R &D, Pharmaceuticals, SF-20101 Turku, Finland.;?Orion Corporation Farmos, R &D, Pharmaceuticals, SF-20101 Turku, Finland. |
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| Abstract: | Atipamezole was used to reverse the sedation induced in calves by medetomidine/ketamine. Thirteen claves subjected to umbilical surgery received medetomidine 20 μg/kg bodyweight (bwt) and ketamine 0.5 mg/kg bwt intravenously (iv) from a mixture of the drugs in one syringe. Atipamezole was given at doses of 20 to 60 μg/kg iv and intramuscularly (im) to the calves at the end of the operation. Following the administration of medetomidine and ketamine, PaCO2 increased whereas pH, PaO2 and heart rate decreased. Reversing the effects of medetomidine with atipamezole did not cause undesirable effects; recovery was rapid and smooth, most of the animals reached a standing position within 1 to 3 mins after the atipamezole injection. |
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