Comparison of intravenous and intraosseous administration of diazepam-acepromazine and ketamine with fluid therapy in dogs

Sixteen dogs of both sexes were divided into 2 groups. After proper premedication of the animals, the first group received diazepam acepromazine and ketamine via intravenous injection. The second group received similar drugs via intraosseous route through medial aspect of the tibia. After anesthetic induction, all animals received Ringer's solution through the same route. Heart rate, respiratory rate and mean arterial pressure were recorded before anaesthesia and after induction of every 5 minutes. Palpebral reflexes, corneal reflexes, pedal reflexes and inward rotation of the eyeball were evaluated during anaesthesia. Total leukocyte, erythrocyte, differential counts, hematocrit, hemoglobin and total serumprotein were measured before anaesthesia and on days 1,3,5,7 post anaesthesia. The rate of fluid uptake via intraosseous route was also recorded. The results of heart rate, respiratory rate, percentage of neutrophils and concentration ofhemoglobin were significantly different (P < 0.05) between two groups. In 37.5% of cases sclerosis and increased density at the site of injection was visible on the radiograms taken 14 days postanaesthesia. These differences could be due to slow distribution of drugs into the circulation by intraosseous route, and perhaps due to local destructive effect of drugs in to the osseous structure or bone marrow. It was concluded, that intraosseous administration of the anaesthetic drugs and fluid is safe and effective. Therefore, in the cases of collapsed veins or inaccessible veins due to different clinical situations, intraosseous route may be safely used for administration of drugs.