Safoura Ghadirian - Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Nasser Vesal - Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

This blinded, randomized experimental study was designed to evaluate the analgesic effects of adding epinephrine or xylazine to lidocaine solution for brachial plexus block (BPB) in sheep. Nine healthy, fat-tailed female lambs (۲۶.۶ ± ۱.۵ kg) were randomly allocated into three groups: lidocaine ۲%, ۵ mg kg-۱ (LID, n = ۶), lidocaine (۵ mg kg-۱) with epinephrine ۵ µg mL-۱ (LIDEP, n = ۶) or lidocaine (۵ mg kg-۱) with xylazine ۰.۰۵ mg kg-۱ (LIDXY, n = ۶). Each animal was tested twice. The sheep received a total volume of ۰.۲۵ mL kg-۱ for BPB. A nerve stimulator was used to locate the nerves of the brachial plexus. Onset and duration of analgesia of the forelimb were evaluated using superficial and deep pin prick and pinching of skin with a hemostat clamp. Heart and respiratory rates, and rectal temperature were recorded before and at predetermined intervals following the completion of the block. Brachial administration of LID, LIDEP or LIDXY produced forelimb analgesia within ۱۱.۳, ۱۱.۰ and ۷.۰ minutes, respectively. The mean duration of analgesia was ۱۰۰.۰ min in LID and ۱۳۳.۲ min in LIDEP group. The mean duration of analgesia in LIDXY group (۱۸۶.۸ min) was significantly longer compared with LID group. In LIDEP group a significant increase in heart rate occurred ۵ min after drug administration. Heart rate decreased from ۳۵ to ۸۰ minin sheep received LIDXY. In conclusion, the addition of xylazine to lidocaine solution for BBP provided a prolonged duration of action without any adverse effects in fat-tailed sheep.

Brachial plexus, Epinephrine, Lidocaine, Sheep, Xylazine