Anesthesia of Growing Pigs with Tiletamine-Zolazepam and Reversal with Flumazenil

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of tiletamine/zolazepam and the effect of flumazenil on the recovery from tiletamine/zolazepam anesthesia in the pig. Six Landrace and Yorkshire cross-bred pigs (three females and three males, 3-4 months old) weighing 35.8 ± 1.7 kg were used in this study. Pigs were given tiletamine/zolazepam intramuscularly at a dose of 4.4 mg kg-1 (2.2 mg kg-1 tiletamine and 2.2 mg kg-1 zolazepam) of body weight. Twenty minutes after the administration of tiletamine/zolazem, the pigs were given saline solution (control, Group TZ) or given flumazenil intravenously at a dose of 0.08 mg kg-1 of body weight (Group TZF). Anesthesia and recovery times, scores of anesthetic effects and cardiorespiratory variables were recorded for each pig. There was a significant difference between the duration of tiletamine/zolazepam anesthesia with and without the antagonist. Flumazenil significantly shortened the recovery time. A significant difference in blood gas variables was observed between the two groups. The anesthetic effects induced by tiletamine/zolazepam could be reversed successfully and safely by flumazenil alone. Therefore, flumazenil administration could be considered in cases in which quick recovery is required in pigs.