Electrocardiographic and haematobiochemical changes during continuous intravenous infusion anaesthesia with ketamine in medetomidine or midazolam premedicated buffaloes

Six male buffaloes were used twice as groups K₁ and K₂ for Continuous Intravenous Infusion (CII) anaesthesia. In K₁, medetomidine (2.5 μg/kg) + butorphanol (0.05 mg/kg) and in K₂, midazolam (0.25 mg/kg) + butorphanol (0.05 mg/kg) were used intravenously as premedicants. Induction of anaesthesia was done by 5% thiopentone sodium and maintenance by 1% ketamine. Electrocardiographic and haematobiochemical parameters were recorded. ECG showed sinus bradycardia in K₁ and sinus tachycardia in K₂ groups. Inverted T wave for a very short period was observed in two animals of K₂ group. Hb, PCV and TLC decreased with neutrophilia and lymphocytopenia in both groups. Plasma cortisol increased in both groups. In K₁ and K₂ groups plasma glucose level increased gradually up to 45 min and 60 min, respectively and then returned to the base line. Plasma creatinine and Na⁺ and K⁺ concentration fluctuated within normal limits. Plasma urea nitrogen did not change significantly after premedication till the end in both groups. Significant increase in AST values was observed in both groups in the later part of observation period.