Haemodynamic effects of spinally administered ketamine and its combination with xylazine or medetomidine in goats

The study was conducted in 9 adult goats of either sex weighing 15 to 20 kg. Nine trials each of the 3 treatments were conducted using ketamine (2.5 mg/kg), ketamine and xylazine (2.5mg/kg and 0.05mg/kg), and ketamine and medetomidine (2.5mg/kg and 10mg/kg). The drugs were administered at the lumbosacral subarachnoid space under aseptic conditions. The treatments were evaluated on the basis of physiological and haemodynamic observations. Cardiopulmonary depression in the combination groups and cardiopulmonary stimulation in ketamine group was recorded. A decrease in MAP and an increase in CVP was recorded in the combination groups. ECG showed bradycardia and occasional arrhythmias in combination groups. The results showed that the combination of ketamine with xylazine or medetomidine produce comparable degree of transient cardiopulmonary and haemodynamic changes.