Evaluation of Ketamine Hydrochloride in Combination with Midazolam, Dexmedetomidine and Butorphanol as Balanced Anaesthesia in Cats

Background: As cats undergo stress at the time of presentation before surgery and therefore sedation is required often. It is very difficult to choose a balanced anaesthetic protocol during the surgical intervention in the case of a cat. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of ketamine hydrochloride in combination with midazolam, dexmedetomidine and butorphanol as balanced anaesthesia on clinico-physiological, haematological, serum biochemical profile in the surgical management of cats undergoing neutering. Methods: The study was performed on 18 clinical cases of cats which were brought to the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry (CVSc and AH), Central Agricultural University (CAU), Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram for elective surgery such as neutering. Cats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups, i.e. Gr. A, Gr. B and Gr. C. Animals were premedicated with glycopyrrolate @ 0.01 mg/kg, i/m. After 10 minutes of premedication, in Gr. A ketamine hydrochloride @15 mg/kg and midazolam @ 0.5 mg/kg, in Gr. B ketamine hydrochloride @10 mg/ kg and dexmedetomidine@ 5 mcg /kg and in Gr. C ketamine hydrochloride @ 5 mg/kg, dexmedetomidine@ 5 mcg/kg and butorphanol @ 0.2 mg/kg was administered intramuscularly. Clinico-physiological and haemato-biochemical profiles were evaluated at 0 minute (baseline), then at 15, 30 and 60 minutes after administration of anaesthetic agents to evaluate their anaesthetic effect. Result: In the case of time for induction, the quality of induction, assessment of peri-operative analgesia, depth of anaesthesia and quality of recovery there was no significant difference among all three groups. In Gr. B, animals showed significantly higher duration of recumbency (DOE) and recovery. The assessment of peri-operative analgesic effect among the groups revealed that analgesia during the perioperative period appeared best in Gr. C protocol. In regards to depth of anaesthesia, ketamine hydrochloride in combination with dexmedetomidine and butorphanol group showed a better result. Rectal temperature decreased significantly (P greater than 0.05) up to 60th minutes in Gr. A, but it remained within the physiological range. Heart rate raised significantly (p less than 0.05) from the baseline (0 minutes) onwards and decreased significantly (p less than 0.05) till the end (60 minutes) of the study in Gr. C. The respiration rate was significantly (p less than 0.01) different in between time intervals for all three groups. No significant difference was observed on haemato-biochemical observation except glucose level which significantly increased after induction of anaesthesia. In conclusion, treatment with ketamine hydrochloride in combination with dexmedetomidine and butorphanol led to acceptable sedation and mild changes in clinico-physiological, haematological, serum biochemical profile in comparison to the other two groups.

Serum biochemistry profile of laying hens fed diets with fish waste oil

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to evaluate increasing levels of fish waste oil in diets for laying hens on serum biochemistry profile. 192 Hisex White laying hens at 29 weeks of age were used, with water and food ad libitum. The experimental design was completely randomized consisting of eight treatments corresponding to the inclusion levels of fish waste oil (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5%) in the diets, with four replicates of six birds each. Data collected were subjected to polynomial regression at 5% of significance. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in triglycerides, glucose, total cholesterol, and uric acid. These parameters presented a decrease when hens fed diets with higher level of fish waste oil. The results of the present study indicated that the inclusion of fish waste oil caused a significant effect in the serum biochemical profile of laying hens, especially in glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and uric acid concentrations. The inclusion level of 3.5% of fish waste oil caused larger disequilibrium in the serum biochemical profile of laying hens.

Effect of Calf Gender on Milk Composition, Reproductive Hormones and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Female Dromedary Camel

Arabian dromedary camels received little interest compared to other domestic animals. Literature data about factors affecting camel's milk composition and serum biochemical profile are limited and not sufficient. In the present study a total of 60 milk samples (Three milk samples were collected from each animal for three consecutive days) and 20 blood samples were collected individually from 20 clinically healthy female dromedary camels at first month of lactation to study the effect of calf gender on milk composition, some hormonal and serum biochemical profile. Animals were grouped into two groups, A and B. Group A contained 10 females dromedary camels that gave birth to male calves and Group B contained 10 females dromedary camels that gave birth to female calves. All samples were analyzed, and the result revealed that calf gender has non-significant effect (P>0.05) on milk composition, serum progesterone, cortisol, calcium and magnesium levels. While significant effect but not sharp (P=0.02) were observed on serum phosphorus levels and high significant effect were recorded on serum estrogen level (P<0.0001).Since such study are rare inEgypt, the data presented, could be used as a reference guide for the effect of calf gender on milk composition, reproductive hormones and serum biochemical parameters of female dromedary camel during early lactation.