Effects of caudal epidural ketamine and/or lidocaine on heifers during reproductive procedures: a preliminary study.

Six 20-24-month-old heifers received ketamine (KE), 2% lidocaine (Li), or ketamine and 2% lidocaine (KELI) into the first intercoccygeal (Co(1)-Co(2)) epidural space while standing. Heart rate, arterial blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and mean), respiratory rate, rectal temperature, analgesia, sedation, and ataxia were determined before treatment and at predetermined intervals. Subjective scoring was used to assess pain and discomfort in reproductive manipulations. The duration of analgesia was 35+/-14 min for Li, 48+/-11 min for KE, and 35+/-7 min for KELI (P>0.05). Motor block determined by KE, Li, or KELI treatments was restricted to tail, external genital organs (vulva and vagina), anus, and rectum, with little interference in the cervix or uterus. It was concluded that epidural ketamine, 2% lidocaine, or their combination produced satisfactory analgesia without discomfort or ataxia and facilitated reproductive manipulations.