What is a recumbent ketamine "stun" cocktail comprised of?

• A. Ketamine and isoflurane
• B. Ketamine and xylazine
• C. Fentanyl and lidocaine
• D. Xylazine and sevoflurane

Answer: (B)

The recumbent ketamine "stun" cocktail is a combination of ketamine and xylazine. This mixture is commonly used in veterinary medicine for sedation and anesthesia, particularly in food animals.

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that provides analgesia and induces a state of anesthesia characterized by a lack of response to stimulus while allowing for some protective reflexes to remain intact. Its rapid action and short duration make it suitable for producing a quick "stun" effect necessary in field settings for procedures that require animals to be temporarily immobilized.

Xylazine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that enhances the sedative effects of ketamine. It provides muscle relaxation and additional sedation, allowing veterinarians to perform various diagnostic and therapeutic interventions with a higher level of safety and comfort for the animal.

The combination of these two agents achieves effective and reliable sedation in food animals, facilitating various field procedures without the need for more invasive anesthesia methods. The synergy between ketamine and xylazine works well in the field environment, where quick and effective handling of the animals is often essential.