Xylazine is an analogue of clonidine and an agonist at the α2 class of adrenergic receptor. It is used for sedation, anesthesia, muscle relaxation, and analgesia in animals such as horses, cattle and other non-human mammals.
Xylazine is recognized as a short-acting tranquilizer or sedative that provides significant pain relief. Acting as a muscle relaxant through its effects on the central nervous system, it is commonly used for short-term sedation, and treatment and management of colic.
Xylazine can be administered intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or orally. The commercial product contains 23.32 mg/ml xylazine hydrochloride in water based injectable solution. Xylazine can be obtained also as pure crystalline powder. There is a significant species dependent response to xylazine administration. Intramuscular dose of up to 0.3 mg/kg for cattle has been suggested by the manufacturer. The recommended doses for horses were 0.6 mg/kg and for sheep 1.0 mg/kg. For dogs the dose was even higher.Xylazine is an analogue of clonidine and an agonist at the α2 class of adrenergic receptor. It is used for sedation, anesthesia, muscle relaxation, and analgesia in animals such as horses, cattle and other non-human mammals. Veterinarians also use xylazine as an emetic, especially in cats.
