Evaluation of Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Donkeys (Equus asinus) Premedicated With Xylazine and Induced With Thiopental.
Authors: Alsobayil Fahd Abdullah, El-Shafaey El-Sayed, Sadan Madeh, Alshoshan Abdel-Aziz
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Sevoflurane Anaesthesia in Donkeys Volatile anaesthetics such as sevoflurane offer advantages in equine practice, but evidence for safe use in donkeys remains limited despite their growing popularity in clinical settings. Researchers administered xylazine premedication (1 mg/kg IV) followed by thiopental induction (5 mg/kg IV) to six healthy adult male donkeys, then maintained anaesthesia with sevoflurane in 100% oxygen for 90 minutes whilst measuring cardiovascular, respiratory, haematological and blood gas parameters at regular intervals. Sevoflurane produced expected physiological changes including significant reductions in heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure and rectal temperature, alongside notable decreases in red blood cells, haematocrit and white cell populations; venous blood gases showed increased PO₂ and PCO₂ with mild acidosis (decreased pH), whilst serum glucose rose significantly and calcium fell during recovery. Donkeys achieved sternal recumbency within 15.8 ± 2.6 minutes and standing within 28.2 ± 2.2 minutes post-anaesthesia, with good quality recoveries overall, suggesting sevoflurane provides reliable and relatively rapid anaesthesia in this species. For practitioners managing donkeys requiring general anaesthesia, these findings support sevoflurane as a viable maintenance agent, though the cardiovascular depression and blood gas changes warrant careful monitoring, particularly in compromised animals or those with marginal cardiopulmonary reserve.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Sevoflurane can be reliably used for general anesthesia in donkeys with xylazine-thiopental premedication and induction, offering predictable and relatively quick recovery times suitable for routine procedures
- •Monitor for expected cardiovascular depression (decreased heart rate and blood pressure) and hypothermia during sevoflurane maintenance, implementing appropriate supportive measures
- •Expect stable oxygenation and rapid return to standing (approximately 28 minutes), making this protocol practical for field and clinical settings where quick recovery is beneficial
Key Findings
- •Sevoflurane anesthesia in donkeys resulted in significant decreases in heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, and rectal temperature during the 90-minute maintenance period
- •Sternal recumbency occurred at 15.8 ± 2.6 minutes and standing at 28.2 ± 2.2 minutes after vaporizer cessation, demonstrating relatively rapid recovery
- •Significant decreases in red blood corpuscles, hematocrit, and white blood cell counts were observed, with increased oxygen hemoglobin saturation and glucose levels
- •Overall recovery quality was judged good, supporting sevoflurane as a safe and effective anesthetic agent for adult healthy donkeys