Zoletil^(R) is a combination of a dissociative anesthetic agent, tiletamine hypochloride, and a tranquilizer, zolazepam hypochloride.

Zoletil^(R) has now been available for more than 10 years in Europe, Latin America, Asia, and in the Pacific area.

Zoletil^(R) is very comfortable to use thanks to:

A HIGH THERAPEUTIC INDEX
In dogs:

• Average dosage: 5-7 mg/kg
• Lethal dosage: 100 mg/kg

• Average dosage: 7-10 mg/kg
• Lethal dosage: 220 mg/kg

LIMITED SIDE EFFECTS

• No cardiorespiratory depression
• No epileptic effect
• Transient decrease of body temperature
• No hepatic or renal toxicity
• Laryngeal, palpebral, and pharyngeal reflexes are maintained
• Can be used on pregnant bitches and queens

EFFECTIVENESS

• Fast onset of action: within 1 minute by IV route, 3-5 minutes by IM route
• Good anesthetic effect
• Instantaneous muscle relaxation
• Immediate superficial analgesia
• Smooth awakening: between 30 minutes to 2 hours

MULTI PURPOSE
Zoletil^(R) is a very convenient injectable anesthetic agent:

The following indicative guidelines will illustrate how Zoletil^(R) can be used in a variety of procedures in cats and dogs, ranging from restraint to orthopedic surgery.

Food
It is advisable to withhold food for 12 hours before injection of Zoletil^(R).

Body temperature
Body temperature should be monitored Animals should be protected from body heat loss.

Eyes
The eyes normally remain open with the pupils dilated. The use of an ophthalmic ointment is advisable to protect the cornea from desiccation.

Dosage
Do not exceed the maximum safe dose of 30 mg/kg of bodyweight in dogs.

Recovery
Recovery time depends on doses, injection route, general status of the patient. For an optimum recovery, the patient should be kept away from loud noises and bright lights.
A stormy recovery means zolazepam has been eliminated.
It is possible to inject diazepam 0.2-0.5 mg/kg IV.

Storage
Non-reconstituted product should be used within 2 years. Once reconstituted, Zoletil^(R) can be kept 8 days at 4°C (over 90% efficacy maintained).

Warning
Factors affecting response to immobilizing medicines include:

• age, sex, reproduction status
• general nutritional status (obesity)
• concomitant diseases

Doses are given according to the species and the type of procedure used.

Doses are flexible taking into account the status of the subject.

Doses should be reduced in geriatric and debilitated patients.

Zoletil^(R) is indicated for minor procedures such as immobilization and handling, diagnostic examination and restraint:

• Allows a good quality sedation
• Easy to administer by IM or IV route
• Onset of action is quick

RECOMMENDED PROTOCOL

• IM route: Zoletil^(R) 7-10 mg/kg or
• IV route: Zoletil^(R) 2-5 mg/kg

Dental procedures

Sedation may not always be enough to operate and a short duration anesthesia is then required.

Zoletil^(R) allows comfort of use:

• Preserves the laryngeal reflex so there is no need for intubation
• Easy to use
• Allows muscle relaxation, needed because procedures often need a mouth large open

RECOMMENDED PROTOCOL

For orthodontics/short procedures (20 minutes)

• Premedication: 15 minutes before induction atropine (0.1 mg/kg SC) to reduce salivation
• Induction: Zoletil^(R) 5 mg/kg IV

For dental care/long procedures (40 minutes)

• Premedication: 15 minutes before induction atropine (0.1 mg/kg SC) to reduce salivation
• Induction: Zoletil^(R) 7.5 mg/kg IV

Urinary surgery

The health status of the patient is usually critical when brought for an urinary surgery. The use of a very safe anesthetic agent is therefore required.

Zoletil^(R) is an anesthetic agent of choice for urology procedures:

• Highly safe for this type of patient:
  Tiletamine has no direct effect on kidney functions, so it avoids bradycardia and hypovolemia
• Allows muscle relaxation and sedation
• A maintenance protocol is possible Zoletil^(R) has no cumulative toxicity so it can be re-injected

RECOMMENDED PROTOCOL

• Renal checkup
• Premedication: 15 minutes before induction glycopyrrolate (0.01 mg/kg IM or SC) or atropine (0.1 mg/kg SC)
• Induction: Zoletil^(R) 3-5 mg/kg IV
• Maintenance: Inhalation anesthesia or Zoletil^(R) (1/2 dose) if needed
• Fluid therapy necessary during anesthesia and post surgery

Male dog neutering

Zoletil^(R) is very convenient to use in this type of routine surgery:

• Short duration anesthesia is possible
• Easy to administer by IM or IV route
• Highly safe for the patient

RECOMMENDED PROTOCOL

• Premedication: 15 minutes before induction glycopyrrolate (0.01 mg/kg IM or SC) or atropine (0.1 mg/kg SC)
• Induction: Zoletil^(R) 4 mg/kg IV or 7 mg/kg IM

Caesarian sections

As anesthetics pass trough the placental barrier and can have an impact on puppies, an optimal anesthesia should be:

• a short duration one
• with a short lap between induction and delivery
• with a flexible dose regime
• cause only a mild respiratory depression in puppies

Zoletil^(R) is an anesthetic agent of choice for these procedures:

• Highly safe for the mother and puppies:
  Zolazepam has no depressant effect on the respiratory system,
  Tiletamine does not lower arterial pressure
• Allows a quick awakening of the mother without hypothermia

RECOMMENDED PROTOCOL

• Premedication: 30 minutes before induction glycopyrrolate (0.01 mg/kg IM or SC) doesn't pass through the placental barrier
• Induction: Zoletil^(R) 3-5 mg/kg IV
• Perfusion: Ringer lactate (10 mL/kg per hour)
• Place animal in supine position as late as possible (light inclination on the side preferable)
• Mask oxygenation or intubation
• Once newborns are delivered, anesthesia of the mother can be deepen
• Care to newborns:
• If respiratory depression: doxapram + oxygen therapy
• If bradycardia: atropine 0.04 mg/kg IM
• If mother in state of chock: keep placenta for it will provide a blood supplement to newborns

Female dog ovariohysterectomy

Zoletil^(R) is an anesthetic agent of choice for this type of procedures as it is very convenient to use:

• Easy to administer by IM or IV route
• Highly safe anesthetic agent for the patient
• A maintenance protocol is possible, if surgical procedure is to be extended (e.g. metritis)
  Zoletil^(R) has no cumulative toxicity so it can be re-injected

RECOMMENDED PROTOCOL

• Premedication: 15 minutes before induction glycopyrrolate (0.01 mg/kg IM or SC) or atropine (0.1 mg/kg SC)
• Induction: Zoletil^(R) 7 mg/kg IV or 10 mg/kg IM
• Maintenance: Zoletil^(R) 2-3 mg/kg IV if needed
• Note: Obese females may have a longer awakening time

Bone surgery

Intramedullary fixation

When inhalation anesthesia is not possible, Zoletil^(R) can be indicated for long procedures:

• Brings an efficient and safe approach to performing basic bone surgery anesthesia
  Zoletil^(R) has no cumulative toxicity
  Zolazepam is quickly eliminated
• An instantaneous muscle relaxation is observed

RECOMMENDED PROTOCOL

• Premedication: 15 minutes before induction glycopyrrolate (0.01 mg/kg IM or SC) or atropine (0.1 mg/kg SC) + Zoletil^(R) 5 mg/kg IM
• Induction: Zoletil^(R) 5 mg/kg IV
• Maintenance: Zoletil^(R) 5 mg/kg IV
• Note: As Zoletil^(R) shows mild analgesic effects, adequate management of pain should be performed (NSAIDs, opioids)

Cancer surgery

Mammary tumor resection on an older female

When inhalation anesthesia is not possible, Zoletil^(R) is indicated for long procedures:

• High safety margin
  Lack of cardiorespiratory depression
  No renal toxicity
• Flexible dose regimen
Safe on older animals

RECOMMENDED PROTOCOL

• Premedication: 15 minutes before induction glycopyrrolate (0.01 mg/kg IM or SC) or atropine (0.1 mg/kg SC) + Zoletil^(R) 2.5 mg/kg IM
• Induction: Zoletil^(R) 2.5-5.0 mg/kg IV
• Maintenance: Zoletil^(R) 2.5 mg/kg IV if needed

Induction for inhalation anesthesia

Zoletil^(R) can also be used as an induction agent before inhalation anesthesia.

Very convenient to use, Zoletil^(R) is indicated for difficult to handle dog:

• Allows a good quality sedation
• Easy to use by IM route
  
• Onset of action is quick

Even if laryngeal reflex is maintained with Zoletil^(R), intubation is easy (after IV injection preferably) because Zoletil^(R) induces muscle relaxation. To switch and continue with inhalation anesthesia.

RECOMMENDED PROTOCOL

• Premedication: 15 minutes before induction glycopyrrolate (0.01 mg/kg IM or SC) or atropine (0.1 mg/kg SC) + Zoletil^(R) 5-7 mg/kg IM
• Induction:Zoletil^(R) 1 mg/kg IV + inhalant agent

  WARNING
  The data mentioned in this document is either extracted from Virbac internal data or given by different practitioners to Virbac. The user should always refer to the instructions enclosed with the product which have been approved by the regulatory authorities for use in the country concerned.
  For complementary information, please contact:
  Virbac laboratories BP 27 - 06511 Carros, France