Effect of epidural fat on xylazine-induced dorsolumbar epidural analgesia in cattle

摘要

There are a number of factors that influence the spread of an anaesthetic solution in the epidural space and the duration of anaesthesia (Bromage, 1967; Skarda, 1996; Lee et al., 2001). In particular, intrinsic anatomic factors, such as the characteristics of epidural fat and veins, may affect the epidural spread of injected solution and consequently, epidural analgesia in cattle (Lee et al., 2001). Xylazine, which is an alpha_2-adrenergic receptor agonist, has been used in segmental dorsolumbar andcaudal epidural anaesthesia in cattle (Skarda, 1996; Taguchi et al., 1998). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of epidural fat and veins on sedative and analgesic effects of xylazine injected into the first interlumbar epidural space using a dorsal approach in standing cattle.