| Abstract: | The sedative effects in horses of the new α2-agonist medetomidine were compared with those of xylazine. Four ponies and one horse were treated on separate occasions with two doses of medetomidine (5 mμ/kg bodyweight and 10 μg/kg bodyweight) and with one dose of xylazine (1 μg/kg bodyweight) given by intravenous injection. Medetomidine at 10 μg/kg was similar to 1 mg/kg xylazine in sedative effect but produced greater and more prolonged ataxia. Ataxia was so severe following 10 μg/kg of medetomidine that one animal fell over during the study. Medetomidine (5 μg/kg) produced less sedation but a similar degree of ataxia to 1 mg/kg xylazine. |
