The study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the two different general anaesthetic techniques in equine gelding under field condition. Twelve apparently healthy male horses were were randomly divided into two groups of 6 each. Xylazine @ 1 mg/kg was used as preanaesthetic 10 min before induction of anaesthesia. Propofol 3 mg/kg and ketamine 2 mg/kg body wt were used for induction of anaesthesia in groups I and II, respectively. Each animal was evaluated before, during and after completion of gelding for different clinical, haematological and biochemical parameters. Induction of anaesthesia occurred within 171.2±21.43 s and 190.8±19.99 s in groups I and II, respectively. Duration of anaesthesia was 13.4±1.21 and 15.4±2.29 min in groups I and II, respectively. Horses of groups I and II recovered completely within 42.00±5.83 and 56.00±4.00 min, respectively. Rectal temperature and respiratory rate decreased significantly during anesthesia, while heart rate increased significantly in both groups. In both groups, non-significant difference was noted in total erytarocyte count, total leukocyte count, haemoglobin level and packed cell volume. Liver function tests and kidney function tests also showed non-significant difference in both groups. From these observations it was concluded that propofol along with xylazine produces faster and smooth induction with short duration of anaesthesia; and the quality of anesthesia and recovery was better with xylazine-propofol combination.
