Determination of the Minimum Infusion Rate of Alfaxalone Combined with Electroacupuncture in Goats.

Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) is increasingly used in companion animals. The effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on alfaxalone-based TIVA has not been previously reported in goats. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the minimum infusion rate (MIR) of alfaxalone required to prevent purposeful movement of the extremities in response to standardized noxious stimulation during its combination with EA in goats. Twelve clinically healthy goats weighing 18.5 ± 2 kg were randomly assigned to two groups (six goats/group). Alfaxalone alone (ALF group) and alfaxalone combined with EA (EA-ALF group). In the EA-ALF, alfaxalone was administered 30 min after EA stimulation. For induction of anesthesia, a bolus of alfaxalone was given at 3 mg/kg IV, and an infusion dose of 9.6 mg/kg/h was initially set for maintenance. The MIR of alfaxalone in both groups was determined by testing for responses to stimulation (clamping on a digit with Vulsellum forceps) at 10-min intervals after induction of anesthesia till the entire period of the experiment. Cardiopulmonary parameters and nociceptive threshold were measured throughout anesthesia. The median alfaxalone MIR was significantly lower in the EA-ALF group than the ALF group [9 (4.8-9.6) and 12 (11.4-18)], respectively;