Total intravenous anaesthesia in the horse
Authors: Robertson S. A.
Journal: Equine Veterinary Education
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Total Intravenous Anaesthesia in the Horse Robertson's 2005 review examines total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) as a technique in equine practice, addressing the need for safer anaesthetic alternatives that minimise systemic complications associated with general anaesthesia in horses. The author synthesises existing evidence on TIVA protocols, drug combinations, and their pharmacokinetic profiles in equine patients, providing clinicians with evidence-based guidance on agent selection, dosing regimens, and monitoring requirements during intravenous anaesthetic delivery. Key findings demonstrate that TIVA offers several advantages over inhalational anaesthesia, including reduced environmental pollution, improved cardiovascular stability in certain patient populations, and greater flexibility in adjusting anaesthetic depth without the constraints of volatile agent vaporisers. For equine practitioners—particularly those managing high-risk surgical cases, emergency colics, or patients with concurrent respiratory disease—TIVA presents a valuable tool that can be integrated into existing anaesthetic protocols to enhance patient safety and recovery quality. Understanding the nuances of different TIVA agents, their drug interactions, and practical administration methods is increasingly relevant as equine anaesthetic protocols continue to evolve toward individualised, risk-stratified approaches.
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Practical Takeaways
- •For ear procedures in horses, consider regional nerve blocks combined with IV sedation as a safer alternative to general anesthesia, particularly for anxious or high-risk patients
- •The two-injection-point technique targeting the great auricular nerve and its branches provides reliable desensitization of the entire ear with lower complication risk when using electrical nerve localization
- •This approach enables standing procedures on the ear with good patient tolerance and rapid full recovery
Key Findings
- •A two-injection-point regional nerve block technique using 12 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine successfully provided complete sensory blockade of the equine ear for electrochemotherapy
- •Combined intravenous sedation (acepromazine, romifidine, butorphanol) with regional anesthesia allowed safe tumor treatment without general anesthesia complications
- •The nerve locator-guided approach reduced the risk of intra-parotid injection during internal and external auricular nerve blocks