Indirect Risks of Lidocaine
Just as the use in humans, Lidocaine is used as a local anesthetic in food producing animals. It is required by the law to use a safe amount and appropriate anesthesia while performing surgery on domestic animals. A withdrawal period needs to be set before any products from the animal is produced. A withdrawal period is the time that passes between the final dose given to the animal and the time when the levels of residues in the tissues or products (milk, eggs, honey) is below or equal to MRL. A research and tests are carried out and a safe level of MRL, which is the Maximum Residue Level of residue allowed in an animal, after a period of time of the veterinary medicine used, is calculated. It is important that veterinarians follow these guidelines in order to prevent harm to the animal and prevent any risks to the humans consuming the products from that animal. A withdrawal period is set so that the MRL levels do not exceed.
Many people are not aware of the way Lidocaine can affect them indirectly. Generally, the minimum withdrawal period in food producing animals would be 7 days for milk and 28 days for meat. However, this period is the minimum period, meaning the residue levels may still be slightly higher than MRL after the withdrawal period has passed and this can cause some harm to the consumer. If milk or meat is obtained before the withdrawal period, the risk of the consumer being affected increases. However, the effects at most would be slight dizziness and disorientation and rashes. Alternate options of Lidocaine include Procaine and Xylazine. Lidocaine however, is given preference over these two as Procaine has a slower onset as well as shorter lasting effect and has more side effects, while Xylazine is not as effective as the other two.
As a whole however, the chances of any products being attained from an animal, that underwent anesthesia, before the withdrawal period are low due to the strict regulations. In addition, Lidocaine is far more effective and user friendly compared to the alternatives. From these conclusions, it is safe to say that the use of Lidocaine as an anesthetic in food producing animals should be continued, while following the same guidelines, and no major concerns should arise.
Many people are not aware of the way Lidocaine can affect them indirectly. Generally, the minimum withdrawal period in food producing animals would be 7 days for milk and 28 days for meat. However, this period is the minimum period, meaning the residue levels may still be slightly higher than MRL after the withdrawal period has passed and this can cause some harm to the consumer. If milk or meat is obtained before the withdrawal period, the risk of the consumer being affected increases. However, the effects at most would be slight dizziness and disorientation and rashes. Alternate options of Lidocaine include Procaine and Xylazine. Lidocaine however, is given preference over these two as Procaine has a slower onset as well as shorter lasting effect and has more side effects, while Xylazine is not as effective as the other two.
As a whole however, the chances of any products being attained from an animal, that underwent anesthesia, before the withdrawal period are low due to the strict regulations. In addition, Lidocaine is far more effective and user friendly compared to the alternatives. From these conclusions, it is safe to say that the use of Lidocaine as an anesthetic in food producing animals should be continued, while following the same guidelines, and no major concerns should arise.