title: Determination of the minimum infusion rate of alfaxalone during its co-administration with midazolam in goats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The minimum infusion rate (MIR) of alfaxalone when co-administered with midazolam in goats was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight goats (four does and four wethers) were anaesthetised, on separate occasions, with alfaxalone at an initial dose of 9.6 mg/kg/hour combined with one of three midazolam treatments: a bolus of 0.1 mg/kg followed by constant rate infusion (CRI) of 0.1 mg/kg/hour (treatment LMID), 0.3 mg/kg followed by CRI of 0.3 mg/kg/hour (MMID), 0.9 mg/kg followed by CRI of 0.9 mg/kg/hour (HMID), intravenously. Responses to stimulation (clamping on the proximal part of one digit of the hoof with Vulsellum forceps for 60 seconds) were tested every 30 minutes. In the absence or presence of a response to stimulation, the infusion rate was reduced or increased by 1.9 mg/kg/hour. Alfaxalone MIR was calculated as the mean of the infusion rates that allowed and abolished movement. Cardiopulmonary parameters were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alfaxalone MIR was 6.7 (6.7-8.6) mg/kg/hour, 6.7 (4.8-6.7) mg/kg/hour and 2.9 (1.0-4.8) mg/kg/hour for LMID, MMID and HMID respectively. Cardiopulmonary function was minimally affected, with hypoxaemia observed two minutes into anaesthesia during all treatments. Recovery from anaesthesia was excitement-free.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Midazolam causes a dose-dependent reduction of alfaxalone MIR in goats. Oxygen supplementation is recommended during anaesthesia with alfaxalone and midazolam in goats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies , University of Pretoria , Onderstepoort , Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Dzikiti
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies , University of Pretoria , Onderstepoort , Republic of South Africa ; Department of Clinical Veterinary Studies , University of Zimbabwe , Harare , Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Ndawana
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies , University of Pretoria , Onderstepoort , Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zeiler
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies , University of Pretoria , Onderstepoort , Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bester
authors.affiliation: School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria , Pretoria , Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: L N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Dzikiti
keywords: Anaesthesia; Minimum infusion rate (MIR); Total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA); alfaxalone; midazolam