Cardiovascular and respiratory effects of epidural vs intravenous xylazine in sheep

The aim of the study was to follow out the cardiovasculary and respiratory effects after the epidural and intravenous administration of xylazine in sheep. In two groups of clinically healthy sheep (n = 6), 0.2 mg/kg 2 % xylazine was applied either epidurally, diluted in 10 ml saline (group 1) or intravenously (group 2). The epidural administration of xylazine didn't induce any insignificant cardiovascular and respiratory changes. A significant decrease was observed in both mean and diastolic arterial blood pressure (p < 0.05), partial arterial oxygen pressure (p < 0.01), oxygen saturation (p < 0.05) after intravenous administration of xylazine. The respiratory rate increased (p < 0.001) as well as the actual bicarbonates (p < 0.05) after intravenous application of xylazine. In conclusion, the epidural administration of 0.2 mg/kg xylazine ensured a safe anesthesia with minimal cardiopulmonary changes, while the intravenous route of administration was related to significant respiratory changes.