Physiologic effects of electroacupuncture combined with intramuscular administration of xylazine to provide analgesia in goats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate physiologic effects of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with xylazine administration in goats. ANIMALS: 48 healthy crossbred goats. PROCEDURES: Goats were randomly allotted to 8 groups of 3 (nonpregnant and nonlactating) female goats and 3 male goats each. The 8 treatment groups were as follows: 1 EA group, 3 xylazine (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/kg, IM) groups, 3 EA plus xylazine (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/kg, IM) groups, and 1 control group. Electroacupuncture was performed for 90 minutes. Xylazine was administered 20 minutes after EA was performed. Pain threshold, heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiration rate, and rectal temperature were observed at 0, 5, 25, 45, 65, and 85 minutes after xylazine administration. RESULTS: Xylazine administered at 0.4 mg/kg increased the pain threshold and reduced MAP. Xylazine administered at 0.1, 0.2, or 0.4 mg/kg reduced heart rate, respiration rate, and temperature. Electroacupuncture increased the pain threshold but had no effect on heart rate, MAP, respiratory rate, or rectal temperature. Pain threshold in goats that underwent EA plus xylazine administration was higher than in goats that received EA or xylazine alone. Electroacupuncture combined with xylazine at 0.1 mg/kg did not affect heart rate, MAP, respiratory rate, or rectal temperature. Pain threshold in goats that underwent EA plus xylazine administration at 0.1 mg/kg was higher than in goats given xylazine at 0.4 mg/kg alone. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Electroacupuncture combined with xylazine, even at 0.1 mg/kg, provided analgesia without significantly affecting cardiorespiratory parameters or rectal temperature in goats.