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

Objective- This study was performed to investigate the analgesic effects of lidocaine, xylazine and lidocaine/xylazine combination in epidural anesthesia in dromedary camels. Design- Experimental Study Animals- Fifteen healthy immature dromedary camels Methods- 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. Results- 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.