Ilium diazepam

Sheep were pre-medicated with diazepam (0.2mg/kg IV) [Ilium Diazepam, Troy Laboratories Pty Ltd, NSW, Australia] prior to placement of an intravenous catheter [14G BD Angiocath, BD Medical, NSW, Australia] into the jugular vein. A combination of diazepam (0.1mg/kg IV) [Ilium Diazepam, Troy Laboratories Pty Ltd, NSW, Australia] and ketamine hydrochloride (5mg/kg IV) [Ilium Ketamil, Troy Laboratories Pty Ltd, NSW, Australia] was administered for anaesthetic induction. A cuffed, endotracheal tube was placed and sheep were maintained on isoflurane in 100% oxygen for the duration of the procedure. Ceftiofur sodium (5mg/kg IV BID) [Accent, Zamira Life Sciences, QLD, Australia] was administered for antibiotic prophylaxis and methadone (0.1mg/kg IV) [Ilium Methadone, Troy Laboratories Pty Ltd, NSW, Australia] and flunixin meglumine (1.1mg/kg IV) [Ilium Flunixil, Troy Laboratories Pty Ltd, NSW, Australia] were administered for analgesia after induction of anaesthesia.

Alfaxalone (10 mg.mL^-1, Alfaxan Multidose, Jurox, UK), diazepam (5 mg.mL^-1, Ilium diazepam, Troy Laboratories, Australia), ketamine (100 mg.mL^-1, Phoenix Pharm, NZ), midazolam (5 mg.mL^-1, Hypnovel, Roche Products, NZ).