Cardiopulmonary effects and induction and recovery characteristics of isoflurane and sevoflurane in foals.
OBJECTIVE
To compare induction and recovery characteristics and cardiopulmonary effects of isoflurane and sevoflurane in foals.


METHODS
Prospective crossover study.


METHODS
6 healthy foals.


METHODS
Foals were anesthetized twice (once at 1 month of age and again at 3 months of age). Anesthesia was induced by administration of the agent in oxygen through a nasotracheal tube. During maintenance of anesthesia, foals were positioned in dorsal recumbency; intermittent positive-pressure ventilation was performed. Characteristics of induction and recovery were recorded. Cardiopulmonary variables were recorded 10 minutes after anesthetic induction and 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes later.


RESULTS
All 6 foals were successfully anesthetized with isoflurane and sevoflurane. There were no significant differences between the 2 drugs in regard to characteristics of induction or recovery, and induction and recovery were generally smooth and unremarkable. There were no significant differences between drugs in regard to measured cardiopulmonary variables; however, both drugs caused initial hypotension that resolved over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that isoflurane and sevoflurane can both be used for general anesthesia of 1- to 3-month-old foals. Significant differences between the 2 agents were not detected for any of the variables measured, suggesting that quality of anesthesia with these 2 agents was comparable.
Read
Matt R
MR
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
Read
Emma K
EK
Duke
Tanya
T
Wilson
David G
DG
D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000662:veterinary; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D000077149:Sevoflurane
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D007530:Isoflurane