Ten horses were submitted the anesthetic protocol with romifidine (80mu/kg IV), tiletamine/zolazepam (1,1mg/kg IV) and halothane as maintenance gas. Cardiopulmonary function, acid-base status and hematologic profile were evaluated monitoring cardiac and respiratory rates, mean arterial pressure, arterial blood gas, hematocrit, total plasmatic protein and blood glucose. Time from induction until recumbency and from recovery until standing position were measured. Romifidine administration provided easy handling of the animals and tiletamine/zolazepam, smooth induction with neither excitement or involuntary movement leading to an adequate orotraqueal intubation and inalation anesthesia. No problems were shown in the recovery period until the animals were stanting. Significant changes were found in the cardiac and respiratory rates and in the mean arterial blood pressure. Acid-base status, hematocrit, total plasmatic protein and blood glucose were also significantly altered. The anesthetic technic and the lateral recumbency produced respiratory acidosis with acidemia. Transitory hipoxemia was observed after the anesthetic induction.
general anesthesia; equine; romifidine; tiletamine/zolazepam
