Detomidine‐Butorphanol‐Propofol for Carotid Artery Translocation and Castration or Ovariectomy in Goats

Objective To determine the safety and efficacy of propofol, after detomidine-butorphanol premedication, for induction and anesthetic maintenance for carotid artery translocation and castration or ovariectomy in goats. Study design Case series. Animals Nine 4-month-old Spanish goats (17.1 +/- 2.6 kg) were used to evaluate propofol anesthesia for carotid artery translocation and castration or ovariectomy. Methods Goats were premedicated with detomidine (10 micrograms/kg intramuscularly [i.m.]) and butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg i.m.) and induced with an initial bolus of propofol (3 to 4 mg/kg intravenously [i.v.]). If necessary for intubation, additional propofol was given in 5-mg (i.v.) increments. Propofol infusion (0.3 mg/kg/min i.v.) was used to maintain anesthesia, and oxygen was insufflated (5 L/min). The infusion rate was adjusted to maintain an acceptable anesthetic plane as determined by movement, muscle relaxation, ocular signs, response to surgery, and cardiopulmonary responses. Systolic (SAP), mean (MAP) and diastolic (DAP) arterial pressures, heart rate (HR), ECG, respiratory rate (RR), SpO2, and rectal temperature (T) were recorded every 5 minutes postinduction; arterial blood gas samples were collected every 15 minutes. Normally distributed data are represented as mean +/- SD; other data are medians (range). Results Propofol (4.3 +/- 0.9 mg/kg/min i.v.) produced smooth, rapid (15.2 +/- 6 sec) sternal recumbency. Propofol infusion (0.52 +/- 0.11 mg/kg/min i.v.) maintained anesthesia. Mean anesthesia time was 83 +/- 15 minutes. Muscle relaxation was good; eye signs indicated surgical anesthesia; two goats moved before surgery began; one goat moved twice during laparotomy. Means are reported over the course of the data collection period. Means during the anesthesia for pHa (arterial PH), PaCO2, PaO2, HCO3-, and BE (base excess) ranged from 7.233 +/- 0.067 to 7.319 +/- 0.026, 54.1 +/- 4.6 to 65.3 +/- 12.0 mm Hg, 133.1 +/- 45.4 to 183.8 +/- 75.1 mm Hg, 26.9 +/- 2.6 to 28.2 +/- 2.1 mEq/L, and -0.8 +/- 2.9 to 1.4 +/- 2.2 mEq/L. Means over time for MAP were 53 +/- 12 to 85 +/- 21 mm Hg. Mean HR varied over time from 81 +/- 6 to 91 +/- 11 beats/minute; mean RR, from 9 +/- 8 to 15 +/- 5 breaths/minute; SpO2 from 97 +/- 3% to 98 +/- 3%; mean T, from 36.0 +/- 0.6 degrees C to 39.1 +/- 0.7 degrees C. Over time, SpO2 and SaO2 did not change significantly; HR, RR, T, and PaCO2 decreased significantly; SAP, DAP, MAP, pHa, PaO2, and BE increased significantly. HCO3- concentrations increased significantly, peaking at 45 minutes. Recoveries were smooth and rapid; the time from the end of propofol infusion to extubation was 7.3 +/- 3 minutes, to sternal was 9.2 +/- 5 minutes, and to standing was 17.7 +/- 4 minutes. Median number of attempts to stand was two (range of one to four). Postoperative pain was mild to moderate. Conclusions Detomidine-butorphanol-propofol provided good anesthesia for carotid artery translocation and neutering in goats. Clinical relevance Detomidine-butorphanol-propofol anesthesia with oxygen insufflation may be safely used for surgical intervention in healthy goats.