title: Determination of the minimum infusion rate (MIR) of alfaxalone required to prevent purposeful movement of the extremities in response to a standardised noxious stimulus in goats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the minimum infusion rate (MIR) of alfaxalone required to prevent purposeful movement of the extremities in response to noxious stimulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, experimental.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight healthy goats; four does and four wethers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anaesthesia was induced with alfaxalone 3 mg kg(-1) intravenously (IV). A continuous IV infusion of alfaxalone, initially at 0.2 mg kg(-1)  minute(-1) , was initiated. Following endotracheal intubation the goats breathed spontaneously via a circle breathing circuit delivering supplementary oxygen. The initial infusion rate was maintained for 30 minutes before testing for responses. The stimulus was clamping on the proximal (soft) part of one digit of the hoof with Vulsellum forceps for 60 seconds. In the absence or presence of purposeful movement of the extremities, the infusion rate was reduced or increased by 0.02 mg kg(-1)  minute(-1) and held constant for 30 minutes before claw-clamping again. Alfaxalone MIR was calculated as the mean of the infusion rates that allowed and abolished movement. Cardio-respiratory parameters were measured. Recovery from general anaesthesia was timed and quality scored. Results are presented as median (range).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MIR of alfaxalone was 0.16 (0.14-0.18) mg kg(-1)  minute(-1) or 9.6 (8.4-10.8) mg kg(-1)  hour(-1) . Induction of and recovery from anaesthesia were excitement-free. Cardio-respiratory changes were minimal, although compared to baseline HR increased, and at 2 minutes post-induction, (prior to oxygen supplementation), PaO2 decreased significantly from 84 (80-88) to 70 (51-72) mmHg [11.2 (10.7-11.7) to 9.3 (6.8-9.6) kPa]. Sporadic muscle twitches, unrelated to depth of anaesthesia, were observed during the period of general anaesthesia. Time (minutes) to sternal recumbency and standing were 4.0 (3.0-10.0) and 41.5 (25.0-57.0) respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alfaxalone can be used for total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) in goats and is associated with minimal adverse effects. Oxygen supplementation is advised, especially when working at higher altitudes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa; Department of Clinical Veterinary Studies, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Patience S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Ndawana
authors.forename: Brighton T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Dzikiti
authors.forename: Gareth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zeiler
authors.forename: Loveness N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Dzikiti
mesh_terms: D000777:Anesthetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005121:Extremities; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D011277:Pregnanediones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000777:Anesthetics; D011277:Pregnanediones; C006477:alphaxalone
keywords: alfaxalone; anaesthesia; goat; minimum infusion rate; noxious stimulus; total intravenous anaesthesia