Lumbosacral epidural administration of 4% articaine with epinephrine in dromedary camels (

Epidural analgesia is commonly performed in camels via the first intercoccygeal space. However, the use of lumbosacral epidural injection has not been previously described in camels, and articaine hydrochloride (HCl) is rarely used in veterinary practice. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of lumbosacral epidural administration of 4% articaine HCl with epinephrine in camels. An anatomical study was performed on six cadaveric trunks of male camels (age 5-10 years) to identify the depth, dorsal, and ventral width of the lumbosacral space. An anesthetic study was performed on six dromedary camels (three males and three females), aged 7-15 years and weighing 382 ± 152.4 kg. A 0.22 mg/kg dose of 4% articaine HCl with epinephrine (0.01 mg/mL) was administered epidurally. Analgesia and degree of ataxia were evaluated using numeric analgesic and ataxia scoring systems. The onset of analgesia and ataxia and the time to unaided standing after recovery were recorded. Cardiorespiratory parameters were also monitored. The spinal cord was located at a depth of 9.72 ± 0.58 cm from the skin. The dorsal length of the lumbosacral space was 9.32 ± 0.62 cm, while the ventral length was 4.33 ± 0.29 cm. Rapid onset of analgesia in the tail was observed at 4.6 ± 0.6 min. Recumbency began at 8.6 ± 2.7 min, and camels regained unaided standing after 228 ± 19 min. Alterations in heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure were recorded. Lumbosacral epidural administration of 4% articaine HCl with epinephrine in camels provided rapid onset, mild analgesia (median analgesic score 1-2) in the tail, perineal, umbilical, and flank regions; moderate analgesia in the inguinal region (median analgesic score 2-2.5); and moderately deep analgesia in the hind limbs (median analgesic score 2-3). This was accompanied by long-lasting recumbency and minimal clinically relevant cardiorespiratory changes.