Mini Pig Sedation and Anesthesia
Written by Dr. Cathy Zolicani/Corrigan, October 2014
Pigs are a challenge to sedate or anesthetize for procedures. There are many different choices for your veterinarian – in general, they will use the meds that they are most familiar with.
Here are a few common choices:
1. Isoflorane gas is by far the best anesthetic to use if available. It is often not available in the home.
2. TKX (telazol/ketamine/xylazine) – 2.2 – 4.4 mg/kg IM, can use additional 2.2 mg/kg iv as needed (reconstitute telazol with 2.5 mg of ketamine (100mg/ml), and 2.5 ml of xylazine (100 mg/ml)).
3. Telazol can be used alone for sedation – 4 mg/kg IM
4. For minor procedures like nail trims or tusk trims:
Pre-treat with buprenex 0.03 mg/kg orally – absorbs through mucus membranes of mouth.
Then midazolam internasally (0.1-0.2 mg/kg IN).
Finally dexdomitor 15-20 ug/kg IM can be reversed with antisedan.
The least possible sedation to get the job done should be used.
Visit our website to learn more about mini pigs, find a registered mini pig breeder, become a member of the AMPA and register your mini pig in the official mini pig registry!
www.AmericanMiniPigAssociation.com
