Advantages and guidelines for using alpha-2 agonists as anesthetic adjuvants.
Xylazine and medetomidine produce reliable sedation, muscle relaxation, and analgesia in dogs and cats. In addition, alpha-2 agonists have proved very effective as sedative-analgesic adjuncts when coadministered with benzodiazepine or opioid agonists. Alpha-2 agonists should not be classified as monoanesthetics. They are excellent anesthetic adjuncts when combined with dissociatives and opioids. Because of the acute alterations in cardiopulmonary function commonly induced by alpha-2 agonists, it is suggested that their use be restricted to the young healthy patient undergoing routine surgical or diagnostic procedure. The development of more specific and selective alpha-2 agonists will continue to enhance the safety and reliability of this novel class of compounds. The unique spectrum of anesthetic properties induced by alpha-2 agonists has assured them of an increasingly prominent role in the development of new and sophisticated ways of achieving anesthesia.
Tranquilli
W J
WJ
Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine, Urbana.
Benson
G J
GJ
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000662:veterinary*; D000777:Anesthetics; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000502:physiology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D007093:Imidazoles; D020926:Medetomidine; D014991:Xylazine
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000777:Anesthetics; D007093:Imidazoles; D014991:Xylazine; D020926:Medetomidine