Comparison of Lidocaine, Xylazine, and a Combination of Lidocaine and Xylazine for Caudal Epidural Analgesia in Dromedary Camels

This study was performed to investigate the analgesic effects of lidocaine,xylazine and lidocaine/xylazine combination in epidural anesthesia in dromedary camels.Design: Experimental StudyAnimals: Fifteen healthy immature dromedary camels The camels were randomly designed in 3 equal groups. In group L: lidocaine 2% (0.22 mg/kg), in group X: xylazine 2% (0.17 mg/kg), and in group LX: a combination of lidocaine 2% (0.22 mg/kg) and xylazine 2% (0.17 mg/kg) were injected into the first intercoccygeal epidural space. Analgesia, sedation, ataxia, and effect on cardiopulmonary, rectal temperature were recorded at different intervals before (baseline) and after the drug administration. Epidural lidocaine, xylazine and their combination produced analgesia in the tail, anus and perineum. Onset time of perineal analgesia in groups L and LX was significantly shorter than group X. Duration of complete perineal analgesia in group X and LX was significantly longer than group L. Mild to moderate sedation was observed in groups X and LX, whilst the camels in group L were alert and nervous during the study. Ataxia was observed in all test subjects and was more severe in group L and LX. Significant depression in heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature values were observed in groups X and LX in some measurement points of the study.Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: According to the results of present study, it could be concluded that a combination of lidocaine and xylazine administered epidurally to dromedaries produces an effective, safe, with more rapid onset of longer perineal analgesia, when compared with either agent alone.