Reversal of epidurally administered dexmedetomidine using yohimbine in goats

Efficacy of intravenous yohimbine for reversal effects of lumbosacral epidurally administered dexmedetomidine was studied in six healthy adult goats. All the goats were premedicated with atropine sulphate 0.1mg/kg followed by lumbosacral epidural administration of dexmedetomidine @ 10μg/kg with animal in right lateral recumbency. Yohimbine @ 0.11mg/kg intravenous (IV), was administered 10 minutes after the administration of dexmedetomidine. Heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, ruminal motility and haematological parameters were evaluated after the administration of dexmedetomidine and yohimbine. All goats were observed for sedation, arousal time, standing time, walking time and time of complete recovery. Animals were aroused at 5.42±0.27 min, showed active flexor-pinch reflexes and skin prick reflex in abdominal region, thoracic wall and flank region after 9.05±0.41 min and had a mean walking time of 15.48±0.57 min after yohimbine administration. A transient decrease in heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature was observed after dexmedetomidine administration which increased significantly after reversal of sedation with yohimbine. It was concluded that yohimbine is a good alpha-2 adrenoreceptor antagonist for reversal of dexmedetomidine induced sedation effectively and smoothly.