A mild to moderate respiratory acidosis will develop during light to medium surgical anesthesia. Severe respiratory depression develops during deep anesthesia. Low solubility results in rapid induction of anesthesia and rapid recovery. Licensed for use in humans, clinical trial in dogs completed - awaiting FDA approval. Cardiovascular effects similar to isoflurane.
Balanced anesthesia is advocated because there is no single agent that is completely satisfactory.
Disadvantages include the possibility of adverse drug interactions. Furthermore, when a complication ensues it can be difficult to determine which agent was responsible. Traditionally, balanced anesthesia included a neuromuscular blocking agent for muscle relaxation. Today, balanced anesthesia is usually considered to be a combination that might include an anticholinergic, a sedative, an opioid, an induction drug, and a low dose of inhalant, with or without a neuromuscular blocker. Local analgesia techniques are commonly used for surgical procedures in ruminants without additional sedation or anesthesia.