Comparison of epidural xylazine-ketamine and buprenorphine for post-traumatic pain management in goats (Capra hircus)

The comparative efficacy of epidural xylazine and ketamine (0.05 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg body wt) and buprenorphine (1 mg/kg body wt) and was studied in goats. Model of acute pain and inflammation was created by the injection of turpentine oil (0.15 mL) in the left hock joint under thiopental anaesthesia in 12 non-descript goats of either sex divided into three groups i.e. A (control), B (xylazine and ketamine) and C (buprenorphine). These drugs were administered at lumbosacral epidural space at an interval of 2, 24, 48 and 72 hr after the induction of arthritis. Analysis of clinical and haematobiochemical data suggested severe post-traumatic changes and stress response in animals of group A as evidenced by increased HR, RR, RT, joint warmth, hyperalgesia, swelling, pain, leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, neutrophilia, increased trypsin inhibition, fibrinogen and decreased lymphocytes. The post-traumatic treatment with epidural xylazine-ketamine and buprenorphine resulted in early suppression of changes in these parameters compared to control animals. Both treatments protected the animals from noxious stimuli and acute pain.