Sedation with Xylazine-Diazepam and Epidural Administration of Lidocaine and Xylazine for Castration and Ovariohysterectomy in Cats

The aim of this study was to determine whether anesthesia consisting of sedation induced by intramuscular administration of xylazine-diazepam and lumbosacral analgesia induced by epidural administration of lidocaine and xylazine is satisfactory for castration and ovariohysterectomy in cats. Six adult (3 male and 3 female, 2.5 ± 0.5 years of age) cats (mean body weight ± SD, 2.2 ± 0.44 kg) were used in this study. Cats were sedated with xylazine (1-2 mg kg-1 IM) and diazepam (0.2 mg kg-1, IM) and 5 minutes later a 2% solution of lidocaine (0.5ml/4.5kg) and xylazine (1 mg kg-1) were administered into the lumbosacral epidural space. Open castration technique or ventral midline routine ovariohysterectomy were performed. Time to onset, duration and cranial spread of analgesia were recorded. Heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature were recorded at time 0 (prior to epidural drugs administration) as a base line values and at 10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after the epidural administration. Onset time of analgesia was 4.0 ± 0.63 min (Mean ± SEM) and duration of analgesia was 89.5 ± 3.0 min (Mean ± SEM). However, surgical procedures were completed within 25-37 min. There were significant decrease in heart rate and rectal temperature values and significant increase in respiratory rate (P < 0.001). Intramuscular administration of xylazine-diazepam for sedation and epidural administration of lidocaine and xylazine for analgesia provided satisfactory analgesia for castration and ovariohysterectomy in cats. Utilizing epidural anesthetic technique with this combination is most useful for spaying surgery, especially when the surgical procedure can be completed in < 40 minutes.