Tramadol effect on the ketamine-medetomidine combination in immature Bamei pigs

摘要

Use of pigs as an animal model in biomedical research has been increasingly widespread because of their anatomic and physiological similarities to human beings (when compared to non-human primates). Small, immature pigs are preferred to miniature pigsbecause of their lower cost (21, 34). However, anaesthesia in swine is challenging; the temperament of pigs makes handling difficult and securing venous access problematic (22). As intravenous (IV) injection is difficult in unsedated pigs, the availability of an effective anaesthetic regimen that can be administered intramuscularly (IM) is desirable (1). In spite of these difficulties, there are circumstances which warrant the need for anaesthesia in pigs.