Total intravenous anaesthesia in a goat undergoing craniectomy

Cerebral coenurosis is a disease of the central nervous system in sheep and goats, and is usually fatal unless surgical relief is provided. Information regarding neuroanaesthesia in veterinary medicine in goats is scant.

We describe anaesthetic management of an intact female goat (2 years; 16 kg) presented for craniectomy. The goat was sedated with xylazine (0.05 mg kg^-1, i.m.) and morphine (0.05 mg kg^-1, i.m.). General anaesthesia was induced 20 min later with propofol and maintained with a constant rate infusion of propofol (0.2 mg kg^-1 min^-1). A cuffed endotracheal tube was placed and connected to a rebreathing (circle) system and mechanical ventilation with 100% oxygen was initiated. A bolus of lidocaine (1 mg kg^-1), midazolam (0.25 mg kg^-1) and fentanyl 2.5 μg kg^-1 was delivered via the intravenous route followed immediately by a constant rate infusion of lidocaine (50 μg kg^-1 min^-1), midazolam (0.15 mg kg^-1 h^-1) and fentanyl (6 μg kg^-1 h^-1) administered via the intravenous route throughout surgery. Craniectomy was undertaken and the goat recovered uneventfully.

Total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol, lidocaine, fentanyl and midazolam could be an acceptable option for anaesthesia during intracranial surgery in goats.