[Anesthesia in dogs with the combination preparation Tilest 500]

Tilest 500 contains tiletamine and the water-soluble benzodiazepine zolazepam in the ratio 1:1. The drug was administered intramuscularly in ten dogs at a dosage of 10 mg/kg bwt of tiletamine and 10 mg/kg bwt of zolazepam and tested for its effects on hemodynamics, respiration, and the antagonistic effect of flumazenil. Initial effects occurred quickly, analgesia and muscle relaxation were excellent 10 minutes after administration. There was a highly significant increase in heart rate and a slight decrease in both mean arterial blood pressure and arterial pO2. In a second group of ten dogs the interventricular paraconal branch of the left coronary artery was ligated which induced local myocardial ischemia. Here Tilest 500 showed electrostabilizing and antifibrillatory properties even in the presence of severe arrhythmias. The benzodiazepine compound of this drug combination can be antagonized by flumazenil. To avoid excitatory reactions flumazenil should not be injected earlier than 45 to 60 minutes after administration of Tilest 500.