USE OF GUAIACOL GLYCERIN ETHER IN CLINICAL ANESTHESIA IN THE HORSE

A total of 103 anesthetic inductions were performed in horses for a variety of elective procedures. All cases were premedicated with acepromazine maleate (0.02 to 0.05 mg/kg body weight (bwt]). In 50 cases (Group A) anesthesia was induced by a single i.v. bolus of thiopentone sodium (11.1 mg/kg bwt or 1 g/90 kg bwt) followed immediately by a bolus of suxamethonium chloride (0.1 mg/kg bwt). In 53 cases (Group B) anesthesia was induced using i.v. guaiacol glycerine ether (GGE) (.apprx. 50 mg/kg bwt) followed by a bolus of thiopentone at half the usual dose rate (5.6 mg/kg bwt or 1 g/180 kg bwt). Induction of anesthesia was uneventful in both groups although in Group B it was particularly smooth. Following endotracheal intubation anesthesia was maintained with halothane in oxygen administered via a circle system. The duration of anesthesia was comparable between the 2 groups; however, the mean (.+-. SD) time to standing in Group B, 35 .+-. 22 min, was significantly shorter than in Group A, 48 .+-. 25 min. The use of the GGE/thiopentone technique is discussed.