Premedication for intrathecal anesthesia in dogs: xylazine versus propofol

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This study aimed to compare the effects of xylazine or propofol before intrathecal (IT) bupivacaine administration in dogs. The study was conducted in two groups of 10 dogs each. In group I (XG), intrathecal injection of 20 mg bupivacaine was administered into the subarachnoid space in the lumbosacral area after treatment with 1 mg/kg intravenous (iv) xylazine. In group II (PG), 4 mg/kg iv propofol was administered before IT bupivacaine administration. The onset, duration, and magnitude of sensory block (scale 0–3) were determined using the pin-prick test throughout the anesthesia. Duration of surgery (XG: 47.20 ± 5.01 min, PG: 50.85 ± 6.97 min) and duration of anesthesia (XG: 92.20 ± 7.02 min, PG: 94.50 ± 7.26 min) were not significantly different between the groups. This study concludes that propofol administration before IT anesthesia with bupivacaine maintains safe levels of IT anesthesia and can therefore be used as an alternative to xylazine treatment.