The aim of this study was to evaluate the sedative effects of azaperone and its association with xylazine or dexmedetomidine in swine, as well as verifying the possibility of the butyrophenone agent to counterbalance the effects caused by α2-adreneceptor agonists on the cardiovascular and hemodynamic parameters. For this, eighteen healthy swines of the Dambread X MS 50 lineage aged 50 days-old, weighing around 17.3kg (±1.7) were used. All animals were submitted an isoflurane anesthesia by face mask throughout the period of instrumentation. Basal parameters were measured 30 minutes after recovering from general anesthesia. All swines were randomly assigned into three groups of six animals each: AG (azaperone 2mg kg-1 + sodium chloride 0.5ml - IM), ADG (azaperone 2mg kg-1 + dexmedetomidine 3µg kg-1 - IM) and AXG (azaperone 2mg kg-1 + xylazine 2mg kg-1 - IM). Parameters were again measured at the following times: 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after administrating the corresponding drugs to each group. The heart rate had its values reduced in all groups; however this reduction was more significative in AXG. During the study was not observed a biphasic effect over the arterial pressure with an initial increase followed by a gradual decrease. AXG presented reduction of PaO2 and an increase in PaCO2 as well as a better sedative effect. The results allow to conclude that the association of azaperone with xylazine promoted a better tranquilization and muscular relaxation.
azaperone; xylazine; dexmedetomidine; swines
