What three drugs compose the "camelid cocktail"?

• A. Xylazine, ketamine, butorphanol
• B. Ketamine, guaifenesin, xylazine
• C. Ketamine, xylazine, butorphanol
• D. Dexmedetomidine, butorphanol, acepromazine

Answer: (C)

The "camelid cocktail" is a commonly used combination of drugs in the anesthesia of camelids, including llamas and alpacas. The correct composition features ketamine, xylazine, and butorphanol.

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that provides profound analgesia and sedation. It is often chosen due to its rapid onset and ability to induce a state where the animal is dissociated from its surroundings, making it suitable for surgical procedures.

Xylazine, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, enhances sedation and provides muscle relaxation, making it useful in managing anxiety and reducing stress in these animals during handling or procedures.

Butorphanol is an opioid that contributes additional analgesia, improving overall pain management and enhancing the quality of sedation provided by the other drugs in the cocktail.

Together, these drugs create a balanced anesthetic protocol that allows for effective sedation, analgesia, and muscle relaxation, which is particularly important in field settings where camelids may be more difficult to handle compared to other livestock.