Doses - THIAMYLAL SODIUM

Note: Atropine sulfate or glycopyrrolate are often administered prior to thiobarbiturate anesthesia toprevent parasympathetic side effects. Some clinicians question, however, whether routine administration of the anticholinergic agents are necessary.
Thiobarbiturates are administered strictly to effect; doses are guidelines only.
The manufacturer (Bio-Ceutic) recommends rapid injection 1/3 - 1/2 of the calculated dosage tocarry the patient through the excitatory phase, then, if no apnea or severe respiratory depressanteffects are seen, administer to the level of anesthesia desired.

Dogs:

a) 17.6 mg/kg IV; if narcotic premedication is used: 8.8 mg/kg IV. Use lower dosages forlarger, older, brachiocephalic breeds, and animals in poor condition. Younger andsmaller animals may require higher dosages. (Package Insert; Bio-Tal® ¯ Bio-Ceutic)
b) Average dose of 17.6 mg/kg IV; will produce surgical anesthesia for about 15 minutes. (Booth 1988a)
c) 17.6 mg/kg IV (unpremedicated); 8.8 - 13.3 mg/kg after tranquilization; 4.4 - 6.6 mg/kg after narcotic premedication. (Mandsager 1988)

Cats:

a) 17.6 mg/kg IV; if narcotic premedication is used: 8.8 mg/kg IV. Use lower dosages for larger, older, brachiocephalic breeds, and animals in poor condition. Younger and smaller animals may require higher dosages. (Package Insert; Bio-Tal® ¯ Bio-Ceutic)
b) 17.6 mg/kg IV (unpremedicated); 8.8 - 13.3 mg/kg after tranquilization; 4.4 - 6.6 mg/kg after narcotic premedication. (Mandsager 1988)

Cattle:

a) 8.8 mg/kg IV (jugular) for short duration; 12.5 mg/kg IV (jugular) for longer duration (Package Insert; Bio-Tal® ¯ Bio-Ceutic)
b) 4.4 mg/kg IV after sedation and guaifenesin; or 6.6 - 8.8 mg/kg IV after tranquilization. (Mandsager 1988)

Horses:

a) For light anesthesia: One gram IV (jugular) for an animal weighing from 500 - 1100 lbs.; Deeper anesthesia: 7.3 mg/kg IV (Package Insert; Bio-Tal® ¯ Bio-Ceutic)
b) 4.4 - 6.6 mg/kg IV after sedation and guaifenesin; or 6.6 - 8.8 mg/kg IV after tranquilization. (Mandsager 1988)

Swine:

a) 17.6 mg/kg IV to effect (Package Insert; Bio-Tal® ¯ Bio-Ceutic)
b) 6.6 - 11.0 mg/kg IV (Mandsager 1988)
Sheep:a) 13.2 mg/kg IV (will produce anesthesia for approximately 8 ± 4 minutes); anesthesia may be prolonged for 35 minutes or so by giving 14.3 mg/kg pentobarbital IV 7 minutes after thiamylal. (Booth 1988a)
b) 8.8 - 13.2 mg/kg IV (Mandsager 1988)
Goats:a) 8.8 - 13.2 mg/kg IV (Mandsager 1988)
Monitoring Parameters -

1) Level of hypnosis/anesthesia

2) Respiratory status; cardiac status (rate/rhythm/blood pressure)
Client Information - This drug should only be used by professionals familiar with its effects in asetting where adequate respiratory support can be performed.
Dosage Forms/Preparations/FDA Approval Status/Withholding Times -
Note: Thiamylal is not currently available, it was (and perhaps again?) available as:
Thiamylal Sodium for Injection; available in 1 gram, 5 gram, & 10 gram vials for reconstitutionand 5 gram ampules (Note: Veterinary products are available in 1 & 5 gram vials only)
Bio-Tal® (Bio-Ceutic), Surital® (Parke-Davis); (Rx) Approved for use in dogs, cats, cattle, horses, and swine. No milk or meat withdrawal times are required.
Preparation of Solution for Administration-
The following table may be used to determine amount of diluent necessary to obtain desiredconcentrations:

Sterile water for injection is the preferred diluent. If preparing solutions for a maintenance continuous drip, use D5W or sterile isotonic saline to avoid hypotonic solutions. Some dextrose solutions may be acidic enough to cause precipitation. Do not use cloudy or precipitated solutions.