Effects of thiopentone sodium with and without diazepam premedication in bovine paediatric calves

Thiopentone sodium was administered till effect after atropine @0 04 mg/kg IM (group I) or atropine and diazepam @ 1 mg/kg I. V (group II) premedication in clinically healthy 15 to 25 days old cow calves weighing 22–26 kg. Diazepam premedication not only reduced the induction dose of thiopentone from 13 69 ± 1 64 mg/kg to 6.68 ± 1.88 mg/kg body weight but also increased the duration of anaesthesia from 16.50 ± 1 79 to 61 00 ± 3.03 minutes and improved muscle relaxation However, the post-anaesthetic depression was also prolonged Increase in heart rate and decrease in tidal volume, minute volume, rectal temperature, mean arterial and central venous pressure was observed for a longer period in group II. ECG remained within normal physiological limits. Haemocytologic changes included a non-significant decrease in packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and total erythrocyte count Blood biochemical changes included a significant (P<0 05) increase in glucose, urea nitrogen and creatinine. However, a comparatively greater increase in urea nitrogen and creatinine and lesser increase in glucose was seen at 30 minute to 3 hr in animals premedicated with atropine- diazepam These changes, however, returned near preadmimstration level by 24–48 hrs.