Effects of Medetomidine-Ketofol Anaesthesia on Clinico-Physiological and Haemato-Biochemical Parameters in Goats

The study was conducted on six healthy non-descript goats of either sex weighing between 20-25 kg by administrating atropine sulphate (0.04 mg/kg I/M) followed by medetomidine (10 µg/kg I/M) and 15 min. later followed by induction of anaesthesia with ketofol (5mg/kg I/V). After medetomidine administration, lowering of head was observed in all the animals within 4.20±0.33 min. After ketofol injection, there was rapid and smooth onset of anaesthesia (0.550.15 min). There was marked sedation with protrusion of tongue from buccal cavity, profuse salivation was noticed. Eyes remained partially closed throughout anaesthesia. The corneal and palpebral reflexes were abolished within 3 min. The anal pinch reflex was abolished completely. Muscle relaxation was excellent. The duration of anaesthesia was 85.42 ± 2.31 min. and lasted by raising of head. The recovery was smooth, free from excitement which occurs within 132.85 ± 3.24 min. A significant (P<0.05) decrease in heart rate and respiration rate was observed up to 20 min. and 60 min. respectively whereas rectal temperature showed slight variation. There was non-significant decrease in Hb, PCV and TLC. Neutrophils showed significant (P>0.05) increase with significant (P<0.05) decrease in lymphocyte count at 60 min. There was significant (P>0.05) increase serum glucose level upto 60 min. with non-significant variation in serum urea nitrogen, creatinine AST and ALT. All the physio-haemato-biochemical parameters changes remained within physiological range. Therefore, it is concluded that medetomidine-ketofol provides adequate anaesthesia with smooth and rapid recovery without any deleterious effects on vital organs. Hence, Ketofol can be safely used as general anaesthesia in goats for longer duration.

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