Romifidine-ketamine-halothane anesthesia in horses

A clinical study was made of the use of romifidine in the preanesthetic medication of the ketamine-halothane anesthesia in horses. Romifidine, an alpha-2-adrenoceptor agonist, was administered intravenously at 80 mu g/kg to 72 horses. Anesthesia was induced parenterally (ketamine, 2.2 mg/kg) and maintained with halothane. Heart rate respiratory rate and rectal temperature were recorded both at rest and curing anesthesia. The following clinical parameters were noted: quality of sedation, type of induction, quality of transition to inhalational anesthesia, quality of anesthesia, recumbency time and recovery time. The use of romifidine with ketamine and halothane resulted in gentle induction, maintenance and recovery from anesthesia.