Tiletamine hydrochloride in combination with zolazepam hydrochloride as an anaesthetic agent in sheep

The anaesthetic effects of Zoletil, a 1:1 combination of tiletamine and zolazepam, was evaluated in 10 sheep. The optimum dose of this preparation was found to be 12 mg kg-1. It produced rapid induction, cataleptoid anaesthesia and smooth recovery with a minimal effect on blood pressure. Individual sheep, however, displayed variable reactions to the anaesthetic. Atropine premedication at 0.04 mg kg-1 did not have any significant effect on either heart rate or blood pressure when compared to Zoletil alone.