EN
Clinical practice with small animals often requires the immediate introduction of the patient to short-acting anaesthesia. The aim of the study was the evaluation of the use of midazolam and xylazine as short-acting anaesthesia for dogs. The investigation was carried out on 27 dogs. The general anaesthesia was performed by using a mixture including: atropine 0.05 mg/kg, xylazine 1 mg/kg and midazolam 0.3 mg/kg. The drugs were administered intravenously by using one syringe at a dose dependant on the effects of the operation. Anaesthesia was evaluated testing palpebral reflex, corneal reflex, superficial sensibility and pedal reflex. Body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, parameters of acid-base balance and blood oxyganation were determined during anaesthesia. Intravenous administration of atropine, xylazine and midazolam at a dose dependant on the effects of the operation induce general anaesthesia lasting about 20 minutes. The anaesthesia was connected with the loss of consciousness and pain sensitivity. This kind of anaesthesia causes transient acid-base balance disturbances and respiratory depression. The method of anaesthesia used in our study provides fast induction and recovery without antagonists. The negative effect on the anaesthetised animals was minimal.