What is the preferred inhalant agent for longer procedures in horses?

The preferred inhalant agent for longer procedures in horses is sevoflurane. This anesthetic is favored due to its rapid induction and recovery profiles, making it suitable for lengthier surgeries where maintaining a stable anesthetic state is crucial. Sevoflurane has a lower solubility coefficient compared to isoflurane, enabling faster adjustments to the depth of anesthesia, which is particularly important in longer procedures where intraoperative monitoring and adjustments may be necessary.

Also, sevoflurane is well-tolerated in horses and has a minimal effect on cardiovascular stability, which is vital given the unique physiology of equine patients during anesthesia. While isoflurane is also commonly used in veterinary anesthesia, it has a slower recovery rate than sevoflurane, making it less ideal for prolonged surgical interventions in this species.

Other options, like desflurane, are not typically used in equine anesthesia due to their requirement for specialized equipment and the potential for irritating the respiratory tract. Xylazine, while useful as a sedative and analgesic, is not an inhalant anesthetic and would not be appropriate as an inhalant agent for maintaining anesthesia in longer procedures. Thus, sevoflurane stands out as the