The use of a medetomidine, butorphanol and atropine combination to enable blood sampling in young pigs

• Published in: New Zealand veterinary journal 2005-08, Vol.53 (4), p.249-252
• Main Authors: Ugarte, CE, O'Flaherty, K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; Anaesthesia; Anesthesia - veterinary; Anesthetics, Combined - administration & dosage; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Atropine - administration & dosage; Blood Specimen Collection - methods; Blood Specimen Collection - veterinary; butorphanol; Butorphanol - administration & dosage; Injections, Intramuscular - veterinary; Male; medetomidine; Medetomidine - administration & dosage; pigs; Swine; Swine - blood; Swine - physiology; Veterinary medicine
• ISSN: 0048-0169; 1176-0710; 1176-0710
• DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2005.36554

AIM: To determine the suitability of a reversible, injectable anaesthetic combination including medetomidine, butorphanol and atropine to produce the degree of immobilisation required to allow blood sampling in young pigs. METHODS: Twenty 6-week-old crossbred, intact male pigs were sedated with an intramuscular (I/M) injection of 80 µ'g/kg medetomidine, 200 µ'g/kg butorphanol and 25 µ'g/kg atropine. Heart and respiratory rates and rectal temperatures were monitored. Excessive salivation, gagging, laryngeal reflex, presence of pedal reflex and deep and surface analgesia were noted. Time of injection and the time when pigs reached mild and full sedation were also recorded. RESULTS: Mild sedation was produced in 90% of pigs after 5.6 (SEM 0.96) min (n=18; median 5, range 2-16 min), and full sedation (lateral recumbency and loss of jaw tone) in 60% of pigs after 12.5 (SEM 2.14) min (n=12; median 10, range 5-28 min). The depth and duration of sedation were very variable and most animals were easily aroused. Ninety percent of the animals required the administration of halothane by mask to allow blood sampling, but the amount of halothane required was small. Heart and respiratory rates decreased (p