Effects of xylazine and ketamine hydrochloride on the electroencephalogram and the electrocardiogram in the horse.

A continuous series of electroencephalograms (EEG) was obtained from each of 6 mature horses which had been given xylazine and ketamine hydrochloride IV. Electrocardiograms and respiratory rates were also obtained. The EEG of the unsedated standing adult horse displayed a dominant fast activity in the range of 25-35 Hz, 5-30 microV superimposed over slower 1-4 Hz, 10-50 microV activity with occasional 10-14 Hz, 10-40 microV spindle-type activity. The xylazine-sedated horse displayed hypersynchronous EEG patterns, with the dominant activity being 1-3 Hz, 10-70 microV with overlying mixed frequencies of 5-10 Hz, 10-40 microV and 10-14 Hz, 10-40 microV spindle-type activity. Some 25-35 Hz, 5-10 microV activity was present in 5 of the 6 horses. Ketamine administration 3 minutes after xylazine injection caused an increase in high-voltage slow activity. The dominant frequency was 1-3 Hz, 20-100 microV, with superimposed mixed irregular frequencies of 6-10 Hz, 10-50 microV and 10-14 Hz, 10-40 microV spindle-type activity. All horses developed some degree of second-degree atrioventricular (AV) heart block approximately 23 s after xylazine was injected. The second-degree AV heart block disappeared approximately 1 minute and 30 s after ketamine was injected in 4 of the 6 horses. The remaining 2 had second-degree AV heart block throughout the recording period (15 to 18 minutes). Respiration rates were depressed after xylazine was given and became irregular and apneustic after ketamine injection. The cyclic rate of respiration varied from 19 to 30 breaths/minute. Xylazine depressed heart rates from 13% to 41% (mean 29.3%). Heart rates became faster or remained unchanged after ketamine was administered.