Target species
Horses.
Indications for use
Mepivacaine is indicated for infiltration, nerve block, intra-articular and epidural anaesthesia in horses.
Special precautions for use in animals
Care should be taken to avoid intra-vascular injection by aspiration prior to and during administration.
The analgesic effect of mepivacaine, when used as part of a lameness investigation, begins to subside after 45-60 minutes. However, sufficient analgesia may persist to affect gait beyond two hours.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
Care should be taken to avoid accidental self-injection or skin contact. In the event of accidental self-injection medical advice should be sought. Wash splashes from skin or eyes immediately.
Adverse reactions
Transient, local soft tissue swelling may occur in a small proportion of cases following injection of the product.
Local anaesthetics used in excess can cause systemic toxicity characterised by CNS effects.
If systemic toxicity occurs, as a result of inadvertent intra-vascular injection, the administration of oxygen to treat cardio-respiratory depression and diazepam to control convulsions should be considered.
Use during pregnancy and lactation
Not contraindicated.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
Full aseptic precautions should be observed when injecting the product.
For infiltration: As required, but as a guide 2-5 ml.
For nerve block: 2-10 ml, depending on location.
For intra-articular anaesthesia: 5 ml.
For epidural anaesthesia: 4-10 ml, depending on the depth and extent of anaesthesia required.
In all instances the dosage should be kept to the minimum required to produce the desired effect. The depth and extent of anaesthesia should be determined by pressure with a blunt point, such as a tip of a ball point pen, before commencing manipulations.
The duration of action is about one hour.
It is recommended that the skin should be shaved and thoroughly disinfected prior to the intra-articular or epidural administration.
Overdose
Local anaesthetics used in excess can cause systemic toxicity characterised by CNS effects. If systemic toxicity occurs, as a result of inadvertent intra-vascular injection, the administration of oxygen to treat cardio-respiratory depression and diazepam to control convulsions should be considered.
Withdrawal periods
Not to be used in horses intended for human consumption. Treated horses may never be slaughtered for human consumption. The horse must have been declared as not intended for human consumption under national horse passport legislation.