Guaifenesin 50 MG/ML / Dextrose Sterile Solution 50 MG/ML

Most equine veterinarians perform short-duration anesthesia frequently, but only 10% anesthetize horses for greater than 30 minutes on a regular basis. Approximately 50% of equine veterinarians anesthetizing horses for greater than 30 minutes use inhalants for maintenance of anesthesia, with the balance using repeated injections of induction drugs. Approximately 87% of equine veterinarians anesthetizing horses for greater than 30 minutes use an assistant to monitor the depth of anesthesia and administer additional anesthetic drugs as required.1

Increasing durations of anesthesia do tend to increase the risks of morbidity and mortality. This higher risk associated with longer anesthetic durations is likely to be heightened in larger horses such as warm-bloods or drafts due to the difficulty associated with assisting in recovery in a field situation. Foals less than one month of age appear to be at increased risk for anesthetic complications.2 Fortunately, most foals respond well to sedation, making many procedures feasible through the use of small doses of sedatives.

Managing Anesthesia

Successful management of equine anesthesia beyond short, single-administration protocols requires careful evaluation of the patient and planning of the procedure to keep the duration of anesthesia to an absolute minimum. Much of the success of equine field anesthesia is dependent upon on the maintenance of light levels of anesthesia. The need to administer additional anesthetic agents to deepen the level of anesthesia depends upon changes in respiration, increases in muscle tone, or movement. Limiting movement while administering additional anesthetic drugs is essential.4

No single IV bolus injection of a drug or drug combination safely produces 60 minutes of anesthesia in the horse.1 Anesthesia should be induced with the use of techniques described for short-term equine field anesthesia.3 The induction techniques usually produce approximately 15 to 25 minutes of anesthesia. “During this period, the horse should be positioned for surgery and the halter removed or loosened to prevent facial paralysis as a result of compression of the facial nerve.”1

Where to buy Guaifenesin 50 MG/ML / Dextrose Sterile Solution 50 MG/ML 

Guaifenesin 50 MG/ML / Dextrose Sterile Solution 50 MG/ML is available in the U.S. through pharmaceutical manufacturers and through veterinary custom compounding companies. 

FOR RX ONLY: A valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian is required for dispensing this medication.

1Hubbell, J. How to Safely Anesthetize a Horse for Sixty Minutes or More in the Field. 2013 In: AAEP Proceedings Vol. 59.

2Hubbell JAE, Saville WJA, Bednarski RM. The use of sedatives, analgesic and anesthetic drugs in the horse: an electronic survey of members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).Equine Vet J2010;42:487– 493.

3Johnston GM, Taylor PM, Holmes MA, et al. Confidential enquiry of perioperative equine fatalities (CEPEF-1): preliminary results. Equine Vet J1995;27:193–200.

4Robertson JT, Muir WW. Physical restraint. In: Muir WW,Hubbell JAE,  editors. Equine Anesthesia Monitoring and Emergency Therapy 2nd edition. St  Louis: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:109 –120.