Determination of the minimum infusion rate of alfaxalone during its co-administration with fentanyl at three different doses by constant rate infusion intravenously in goats.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the minimum infusion rate (MIR) of alfaxalone required to prevent purposeful movement of the extremities in response to standardized noxious stimulation during its co-administration with fentanyl at three different doses by constant rate infusion (CRI) intravenously (IV) in goats.


METHODS
Prospective, blinded, randomized crossover, experimental.


METHODS
Eight healthy goats; four does and four wethers.


METHODS
For induction of anaesthesia, a bolus of fentanyl was administered at 0.005 mg kg(-1) (LFent), 0.015 mg kg(-1) (MFent) or 0.03 mg kg(-1) (HFent) followed by alfaxalone at 2.0 mg kg(-1) . For maintenance, the goats received alfaxalone at an initial infusion rate of 9.6 mg kg(-1)  hour(-1) and one of three fentanyl treatments: 0.005 mg kg(-1)  hour(-1) (LFent), 0.015 mg kg(-1)  hour(-1) (MFent) or 0.03 mg kg(-1) hour(-1) (HFent). The MIR of alfaxalone was determined during fentanyl CRI by testing for responses to stimulation (clamping on a digit with Vulsellum forceps) every 30 minutes. Some cardiopulmonary parameters were measured.


RESULTS
The alfaxalone MIR median (range) was 6.7 (6.7-8.6), 2.9 (1.0-6.7) and 1.0 (1.0-4.8) mg kg(-1)  hour(-1) during LFent, MFent and HFent, respectively. Alfaxalone MIR was significantly lower during MFENT and HFENT compared to LFENT. Significantly low oxygen haemoglobin saturation (SaO2 ) and arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2 ), observed 2 minutes into anaesthesia after all fentanyl treatments, were the most remarkable adverse cardiopulmonary effects observed. Recovery from anaesthesia was severely affected by high doses of fentanyl with excitatory behavioural signs predominant for up to 2 hours post-administration after MFent and HFent.


CONCLUSIONS
Fentanyl reduces alfaxalone MIR in goats in a dose-dependent manner. Immediate oxygen supplementation after induction of general anaesthesia is recommended to prevent hypoxaemia. Doses of fentanyl equal to or greater than 0.015 mg kg(-1)  hour(-1) tend to be associated with severe excitatory behaviour and should be avoided when fentanyl is administered to goats.
Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Brighton T
BT
Dzikiti
Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.|Department of Clinical Veterinary Studies, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Patience S
PS
Ndawana
Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Gareth
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7653-7726
G
Zeiler
Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Jacques P
JP
Ferreira
School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Loveness N
LN
Dzikiti
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006041:Goats / Q000601:surgery*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011277:Pregnanediones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D011277:Pregnanediones; C006477:alphaxalone; D005283:Fentanyl
alfaxalone; anaesthesia; fentanyl; goat; minimum infusion rate; total intravenous anaesthesia