摘要: Abstract Objective To review the use and adverse effects of α2-agonists in sheep. Study design Literature review. Material methods ‘Pubmed’ United States National Library Medicine ‘Veterinary Science’ CAB International were searched for references relating sheep to α2-agonists. The bibliographies retrieved articles further scrutinized pertinent references, relevant selected manually. Results Reports on clonidine, xylazine, detomidine, romifidine, medetomidine dexmedetomidine, MPV-2426 ST-91 found literature. Most studies described xylazine followed by clonidine. literature detomidine romifidine was sparse. included pharmacokinetic studies, evaluation sedative, analgesic, anaesthetic techniques with or without cardiovascular effects, experimental investigations (mainly hypoxaemia) including mechanisms pulmonary oedema impaired oxygenation after α2-agonist administration. Conclusions A2-agonists are potent effective analgesics In combination ketamine, they frequently used induction maintenance anaesthesia, this case analgesia is satisfactory. degree hypoxaemia which occurs all commercially available highly variable depends individual breed-related factors; most severe reactions occur intravenous (IV) injection during general anaesthesia. Clinical relevance Subclinical respiratory disease common Rapid IV supplementary oxygen should be avoided whenever may critical.