<div>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. 
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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.&nbsp; 
 
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&gt;0.05) up to 60th minutes in Gr. A, but it remained within the physiological range. Heart rate raised significantly (p&lt;0.05) from the baseline (0 minutes) onwards and decreased significantly (p&lt;0.05) till the end (60 minutes) of the study in Gr. C. The respiration rate was significantly (p&lt;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.</div>

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

<div>This study was aimed at investigating the effects of xylazine-ketamine, xylazine-propofol and xylazine-ketamine-propofol combinations on oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity and blood gases in sheep. Excluding the control animals, the sheep included in Groups 1, 2 and 3 were administered with combinations of xylazine-ketamine, xylazine-propofol and xylazine-ketamine-propofol, respectively, by intravenous route. The comparison of the three treatment groups with the control group showed that no significant difference existed for TAS, TOS, MDA and CAT levels. &nbsp;The evaluation of blood gas and electrolyte levels demonstrated a significant decrease in PvO2, cSO2, Na, and Ca levels, and a significant increase in glucose levels. In result, this study showed that the three anaesthetic combinations tested did not have any adverse effect on the oxidant/antioxidant status, but caused significant alterations in blood gas levels. &nbsp;</div>

<div>Effects of xylazine-ketamine, xylazine-propofol and xylazine-ketamine-propofol administration on free radical generation and blood gases in sheep</div>

Background: Anaesthetic management of horses for a successful surgery is of utmost importance but a risky procedure than other companion animals. Peri-aneasthetic morbidity and mortality in horses could be alarming if proper combinations of drugs were not used. Balanced anaesthetic combinations are being explored by various authors to find safer combinations.Therefore current study was planned to evaluate the effect of CRI of ketamine alone and ketamine-dexmedetomidine combination for isoflurane anesthesia in horses. 
 
Methods: Twenty four clinical cases of horses were randomly divided into three groups S, D and DK, having eight animals in each. Xylazine (1 mg/kg) and butorphanol (0.05 mg/kg) were given intravenously for premedication and ketamine (2 mg/kg) and midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) were used for induction of anesthesia. Normal saline (1000 ml/hour), ketamine alone (2 mg/kg/hr), ketamine (2 mg/kg/hr) and dexmedetomidine (2 &micro;g/kg/hr) combination were given as CRI in groups S, K and KD, respectively. Thiopentone sodium (200 mg bolus, 5%) was given as fast intravenous to facilitate endotracheal intubation in some of the cases. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen and anesthetic efficacy was evaluated based on clinical and haematological parameters.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Overall quality of sedation, muscle relaxation, response to surgical stimuli, quality of intubation, anesthetic depth and quality of recovery was significantly (p&lt;0.05) better in group KD. Down-time (min) and duration of anesthesia were non significantly less in group KD. CRI of ketamine and dexmedetomidine combination was having significant (p&lt;0.05) thiopentone sodium and isoflurane sparing effect.&nbsp; Heart rateand RR, did not show any significant variation among groups but rectal temperature was significantly low in KD group than groups S and K. CRI of ketamine-Dexmedetomidine combination produced a better quality of anesthesia and significant thiopentone sodium and isoflurane sparing effect thus was found suitable for anesthesia of horses.

Clinical and Hematological Effect of Constant Rate Infusion of Ketamine Alone and Ketamine-dexmedetomidine Combination on Isoflurane Anesthesia in Horses

<div>Background: Endotracheal intubation for inhalation anaesthesia in pigs is not considered a good anaesthetic method as it is technically difficult because of oral anatomy and the presence of excess tissues in the oropharyngeal region. Moreover, the major limitation of inhalation anaesthesia is that it requires the use of a cumbersome and costly anaesthetic machine, including a suitable breathing system and vaporizer and is the exposure of operating-room personnel to the pollution in the ambient air. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of propofol, ketamine and their combination &lsquo;Ketofol&rsquo; as a TIVA in pigs. 
 
Methods: The study was conducted in eighteen piglets of either sex. The piglets were randomly divided into three groups with six animals in each group. All the three groups were premedicated with Atropine sulphate @ 0.04mg/kg body weight and Xylazine Hydrochloride @ 1mg/kg body weight I.M. and Medazolam @ 0.5mg/kg body weight I.M. with minimum forcible restraint as pre-anaesthetic. In group-I, propofol @ 5mg/kg body weight, in group-II, ketamine @ 5mg/kg body weight and in group-III, ketofol @ 4mg/kg body weight was administered intravenously for induction after 15 minutes of pre-anaesthetic administration. Surgical anaesthesia was maintained for 90 minutes in all three groups viz. group-I, group-II and group-III with propofol @ 2.5mg/kg, ketamine @ 2.5mg/kg and ketofol @ 2mg/kg body weight respectively by intermittent bolus injection (IBI) technique. Clinical and cardiopulmonary profiles were evaluated before administration of the anaesthetic agent (0 minutes) then at 15, 30, 60 and 90 minutes during and after administration of anaesthetic agents to evaluate their anaesthetic effect. 
 
Result: The study revealed that induction time (IT), duration of analgesia (DOA), duration of recumbency (DOR) and recovery time (RT) interval showed better result in the combination of ketamine and propofol group as compared to propofol and ketamine-induced individual group. The temperature and respiration rate was significantly decreased in all the groups at 30 minutes during TIVA whereas heart rate was significantly increased in all the groups at 15 minutes. The combination of ketamine and propofol group showed a consistent diastolic pressure and systolic pressure during the entire period of anaesthesia. The SPO2 in the ketamine-induced group showed a significant decrease (P&lt;0.01) as compared to the propofol and ketofol group. It was concluded that the anaesthetic drug combinations resulted in smooth and uneventful induction with mild cardiopulmonary depressions and rapid recovery.</div>

Anaesthetic Effects of Propofol, Ketamine and their Combination (Ketofol) as Total Intravenous Anaesthesia (TIVA) in Pigs

<div style="text-align: justify;">It is always been a challenging task to immobilize wild felids and there are limited information regarding the anaesthetic protocol to be used in tigers in both captive and free ranging conditions and many complications are encountered due to the vast variations in estimating the actual body weight. This paper aims at presenting a standard protocol of immobilizing captive Bengal tigers with a combination of injection xylazine and ketamine hydrochloride at a dose rate of 1mg/kg and 3 mg/kg respectively. Time (Mean &plusmn; SE) taken for ataxia was shorter 2.28&plusmn;0.22, lateral recumbency was 3.01&plusmn;0.44 and abolishment of ear flick reflex was 3.55 &plusmn; 0.10 minutes. The duration of anaesthesia (Mean &plusmn; SE) was 39.50 &plusmn; 0.48 minutes and recovery time was 44.17 &plusmn; 0.51 minutes. This protocol of using xylazine and ketamine has resulted in smooth and relatively rapid induction, smooth recovery and a sufficient first reaction time for emergency as well as elective interventions with no incidents of sudden recovery or any life-threatening effects during or after the immobilization procedure. The findings are discussed.</div>

Clinical evaluation of xylazine and ketamine for immobilization of the captive Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris)

Background: The appropriate selection and administration of anesthetic agents are paramount for ensuring both the safety and efficacy of surgical and diagnostic procedures in feline patients. This study was designed to evaluate incidence of onset time, efficacy, safety and side effects in using of Xylazine-Ketamine and Xylazine-Tramadol as general anesthetic agents in cats. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Ten adult female and male cats of a parentally health in both group, the experimental animals were divided randomly into two equal groups: five cats for each group: First group (n=5): was given (2%) Xylazine hydrochloride as sedative agent at dose(1) mg/kg I.M&nbsp; followed by I.M injection of 100% Ketamine&nbsp; at dose (20) mg/kg. while, Second group (n=5): was given Xylazine at dose (1) mg/kg I.M followed by I.M injection of (5%) tramadol at dose of (1) mg/kg. The parameters which were used for evaluation included heart and respiratory rates, rectal body temperature. The clinical parameters included induction time, eye reflex, recovery time, muscle relaxation after induction of anesthetic drug. The parameters which were used for evaluation included heart and respiratory rates, rectal body temperature. The clinical parameters included induction time, eye reflex, recovery time, muscle relaxation after induction of anesthetic drug. 
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Result: Physiological parameters showed no-significant changes in both the&nbsp; groups; the induction time started after three to five minutes in first group, while in the second group after five minutes from administration of Xylazine-Tramadol. The recovery was smooth in both the&nbsp; groups, muscle relaxation was excellent in first group and good in second group and was does dependent. The eye reflex was absent in Xylazine-Ketamine group, while in the&nbsp; second group was variable.

Comparative Study of Xylazine-ketamine and Xylazine-tramadol as General Anesthetic Agents in Cats

Background: Dystocia in dairy animals remains major concern causing huge economical losses of farmers. Over the past years, field veterinarian relieves dystocia via maneuvering, fetotomy, modified Schaffers and cesarean methods under local or regional anaesthesia which is always stressful and painful procedure leading to excessive tissue damage. Considering the involved stress and further conception during relieving dystocia under local or regional anaesthesia is always questionable. Hence, the present study was aimed to relieve dystocia in buffalo without stress by improving gentle handling of uterus during cesarean or obstetrical method under the anaesthetic combination of xylazine-ketamine-guaifenesin under field condition.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The present study was undertaken in twelve clinical cases of buffaloes with history of dystocia irrespective of age and breed and they were sedated with xylazine and subjected to obstetrical or cesarean procedure under ketamine and guaifenesin anaesthetic protocol. 
 
Result: Twelve buffaloes with average age between 3-8 years and body weight 389.66&plusmn;19.56 kg reported to hospital and amongst them eight were primiparous. Among maternal dystocia, uterine torsion was most common followed by incomplete cervical dilation whereas in foetal dystocia, malpositioned foetus and emphysematous foetus was reported. Tachycardia and hypothermia were consistent findings in all animals. The alkaline phosphatase, SGPT and SGOT has been increased significantly due to muscular damage. Mean duration of general anaesthesia required for obstetrical and cesarean procedure was 35.00&plusmn;0.25 min and 132.00&plusmn;0.18 min, respectively. The present study was concluded that, use of ketamine-Guaifenesin combination premedicated with xylazine hydrochloride produced excellent muscle relaxation during obstetrical and cesarean procedure in buffaloes characterized by loss of abdominal muscle tone, stable respiration and minimal cardiopulmonary changes.

Evaluation of Anaesthetic Efficacy of Xylazine-Ketamine-Guaifenesin Combination for Relieving Dystocia in Buffaloes

<div>Background: The clinical treatment of dairy cow mastitis during the lactation period plays a significant role in dairy manufacture. In this work, 3 groups of lactating dairy cows with clinical mastitis were selected, for the first time, to explore the treatment effects using cefquinome sulfate and lincomycin hydrochloride through the udder injection. 
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Methods: The treatment effects with the udder injection of cefquinome sulfate and lincomycin hydrochloride were compared based on effective rate, cure rate, somatic cell reduction in the milk, decrease of cow body temperature and recovery of milk yield. 
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Result: Both cefquinome sulfate and lincomycin hydrochloride showed effective treatment on the dairy cow mastitis during the lactation period. The effective rate and the cure rate obtained with cefquinome sulfate were 88% and 80%, which were higher than those treated with lincomycin hydrochloride (effective rate: 72% and cure rate: 64%). Furthermore, the cefquinome sulfate test group seemed to display a better role in the reduction of somatic cells in milk, a decrease of cow body temperature and the recovery of milk yield.</div>

A Comparison of Cefquinome Sulfate and Lincomycin Hydrochloride in the Treatment of Mastitis for Lactating Cows

<div>Background: Ketamine is rarely used alone because of its association with poor muscle relaxation, tachycardia, catalepsy or muscle rigidity and therefore commonly used in combination with alpha 2 agonist or opioid to minimize the untoward effects. The aim of the present anaesthetic study was to evaluate the clinico-physiological effects of ketamine alone and in combination with dexmedetomidine or butorphanol for inducing adequate anaesthesia in dogs. 
 
Methods: The present anaesthetic study was conducted on 18 (eighteen) healthy dogs of either sex and randomly divided into three groups (K, DK and BK) with six animals in each group. Atropine sulphate @ 0.04 mg/ kg was administered intramuscularly 15 minutes prior to anaesthetic study to all the animals. In group K, ketamine HCl alone was administered @ 5 mg/kg by slow i/v and kept as control. In group DK and BK, after administration of atropine sulphate 15 minutes later dexmedetomidine @ 10 &micro;g/kg i/m and butorphanol @ 0.2 mg/kg i/m were administered respectively. Ten minutes later ketamine HCl was administered @ 5 mg/kg slowly intravenously in both group DK and BK to induce surgical stage of general anaesthesia. The following clinical parameters were recorded viz., onset of sedation, onset of anaesthesia, degree of analgesia, extent of muscle relaxation, duration of anaesthesia and complete recovery. The physiological parameters (rectal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate) were recorded before anaesthetic study at 0 min. and at 10 minutes after preanaesthetic administration and then at 10, 20, 40, 60, 90, 120 and 180 minutes after ketamine anaesthesia. All the data were analyzed using SPSS v 15.0 statistics software program and presented as mean&plusmn;Standard Error. 
 
Result: The onset of sedation was quicker in group DK followed by group K and BK. Duration of anaesthesia and complete recovery in group DK was significantly (p&lt;0.01) longer than in group K and BK. The degree of analgesia was excellent in group DK and good in group K and BK. The extent of muscle relaxation was excellent in group DK, good in group BK and was poor in group K. The physiological parameters showed transient changes which compensated and remained within normal range during the observation period. The above anaesthetic study suggests that ketamine in combination with dexmedetomidine or butorphanol can be safely used for inducing adequate anaesthesia in dogs. However, dexmedetomidine-ketamine can be used safely for longer duration of surgical procedures in dogs.</div>

Evaluation of Clinico-physiological Effects of Ketamine Alone and in Combination with Dexmedetomidine or Butorphanol in Atropinized Dogs

The clinical study was undertaken to assess the isoflurane sparing effect of diazepam and midazolam during isoflurane anaesthesia in goats. The study was conducted in 12 clinical cases of goats randomly divided into two equal groups. In all the animals, xylazine hydrochloride was administered at the dose rate of 0.05 mg per kg body weight intramuscularly. In group I and II, diazepam and midazolam were administered at the dose rate of 0.5 mg per kg body weight i.v. respectively, prior to induction of anaesthesia. Anaesthesia was induced with ketamine hydrochloride at the dose rate of 5 mg per kg body weight i.v. and was maintained with isoflurane employing rebreathing circuit. The end-tidal isoflurane concentration required to maintain surgical plane of anaesthesia was significantly lower in group II (0.82 &plusmn; 0.03 per cent) indicating that inclusion of midazolam in the anaesthetic protocol had significant (28 per cent) isoflurane sparing effect. 
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