What happens to the foetus in a pregnant bitch if we use Xylazine+ Ketamine intravenous anaesthesia? Whether the pups would die while the operation is underway?

We dont want the pups to struggle while the uterus is cut. We use Xylazine + Ketamine. It would be nice if someone would suggest whether really pups die or not while the operation is going on.

Thanks.



Dr Naveen
Veterinary Surgeon
Darjeeling Goodwill Animal Shelter
Kalimpong, INDIA

Hi,

I have never used xylazine/ketamine for caesarean section in the dog, but I have on occasions used medetomidine (Domitor -another alpha 2 agonist)/ketamine for very aggressive dogs. I didn't encounter any problems. All foetuses survived.

I have often used xylazine/ketamine in cats, including caesarean sections without any obvious problems. Infact a paper in the journal of veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia 2-3 years ago looking at foetal survival in cats demonstrated the highest survival rate with xylazine/ketamine.

Ketamine should produce minimal respiratory and cardiovascular depression of the pups. After delivery, the depressant effects of xylazine could be reversed with atipamezole or yohimbine if you have these antagonists available.