Sodium thiamylal for the anaesthetic induction of goats being used for embryo transfer

Sodium thiamylal is an ultra-short acting thiobarbiturate anaesthetic. It is specifically indicated for producing anaesthesia in dogs, cats, swine, horses and cattle to accomplish interferences of short duration, for induction of anaesthesia followed by gaseous anaesthetic maintenance and for anaesthesia in major surgery by administration of additional amounts as necessary. I would like to record the successful use of this anaesthetic in goats specifically for the purpose of embryo transfer. Sodium thiamylal is supplied as a dried powder in airtight vials containing 5 grams of a buffered mixture of the compound with sodium carbonate. Immediately before use a 5% solution was prepared using the water for injection supplied. Unused portions were stored overnight in a refrigerator. During the 1987 embryo transfer season a total of 780 female goats were anaesthetised comprising 70 donors and 300 recipients for fresh transfer and 410 donors for embryo freezing. Each goat was given…