Sedative and analgesic effects of xylazine in rabbits

An experimental study was carried out in nine rabbits to compare the sedative and analgesic effects and also to record some physiological effects of xylazine at three different intramuscular doses i.e. 6 mg/kg, 8 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg body weight. Higher doses produced immediate and deep sedation and more depression in pulse rate, respiratory rate and body temperature. Xylazine at 6 mg/kg produced medium sedation while 8 mg/kg and 10mg/kg of xylazine produced deep sedation in rabbits. As the skin analgesia was concerned, the maximum skin analgesia occurred at 13.22 ± 0.683 minutes with 10mg/kg body weight for the total duration of 56.55 ± 0.766 minutes and followed by 8mg/kg, 6mg/kg at 23.77 ± 0.795, 16.55 ± 0.530 minutes for the total duration of 35.11 ± 0.841, 15.88 ± 0.445 minutes respectively. Maximum significant decreased (P<0.01) occurred in pulse rate, respiratory rate and body temperature up to 45, 60 and 75 minutes with 6 mg/kg, 8 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg respectively. Body temperature had returned to base line at 75, 90 and 105 minutes with 6mg/kg, 8mg/kg and 10mg/kg of body weight respectively. Although some side effects such as salivation and tympany were observed after administration but these were transient and did not pose any serious problem at any stage during the experiment. All side effects had returned to normal at 120 minutes after administration. It is concluded that xylazine is a potent and safe drug for sedation in rabbits.

Key words: Rabbit, Xylazine, sedation, analgesia, dose response, physiological effects.