Veterinary Guidelines for Anesthetics: Pigs
Anticholinergics
- Atropine, 0.04-1.0 mg/kg SQ (1)
Tranquilizers
- Diazepam, 1-8 mg/kg IM (2) premedication for Ketamine
- Acepromazine, 0.05-0.22 mg/kg IM (1); 0.5 mg/kg IM (9)
- Promazine, 1.0-2.0 mg/kg IM (1)
- Chlorpromazine, 0.5-2.5 mg/kg IM (1)
- Azaperone, 1.25-2.5 mg/kg IM (21), 2-4 mg/kg IM (21)
Analgesics/Neuroleptanalgesics
- *Aspirin, 10 mg/kg PO, 4 hour duration (17)
- *Buprenorphine, 0.005-0.01 mg/kg IM/IV/SQ, every 12 hours (22); use 0.05-0.1 mg/kg IM/IV/SQ for major survival surgery (22)
- Butorphenol, 0.1-0.3 mg/kg IM, every 4-6 hours (17)
- Meperidine, 2-10 mg/kg IM (1)
- Morphine, 0.1-0.9 mg/kg IV(2)
Injectable Anesthetics
- Pentobarbital, 20-30 mg/kg IV of 4-6.5% solution (1); prolonged recovery, not recommended for survival studies.
- Thiamyl, Thiopental, 6-15 mg/kg of a 2-5% solution, IV (1)
- Methohexital, 1- 6 mg/kg IV (2)
- Ketamine, 10-20 mg/kg IM (2); immobilization at higher doses
- Ketamine, 2-10 mg/kg IV + Diazepam, 1 mg/kg IV or Xylazine, 0.05-0.1 mg/kg IV (2,9)
- Ketamine, 2 mg/kg IV + Xylazine, 2 mg/kg IV + Oxymorphone, 0.075 mg/kg IV (9)
- Telazol (Tiletamine-zolazepam), 4-6 mg/kg + Xylazine, 1.1-2.2 mg/kg IV (17)
- Ketamine, 20 mg/kg IM +Xylazine, 2.0 mg/kg IM (17)
General anesthesia of pigs requires consideration of several potential problems: excessive salivation, a relative lack of accessible peripheral veins, and unique pharyngeal and laryngeal anatomy which make placement of the endotracheal tube difficult for the inexperienced. Fasting 24 hours prior to anesthesia is recommended. Once under anesthesia, the pig is prone to develop a number of problems: malignant hyperthermia, hypothermia, hypotension and hypoventilation.
Investigators requiring additional information are encourage to contact the DCM Veterinary Service Center.
