Evaluation of glycopyrrolate-acepromazine-xylazine-thiopentone for general anaesthesia in buffalo calves

The study was conducted on 12 male buffalo calves administered with glycopyrrolate (0.01 mg/kg, i.m.) followed by acepromazine (0.04 mg/kg, i.m.), xylazine (0.04 mg/kg, i.m.) and thiopentone (5 mg/kg, 5%, i.v.) for general anaesthesia. Lowering of head was observed at 4.88±0.35 min after glycopyrrolate administration. The animals went into sternal recumbency at 1.22±0.07 min after thiopentone administration and then into lateral recumbence with eyes partially closed. Complete relaxation of muscles and analgesia were observed after thiopentone administration at 6.63±0.28 and 8.99±0.21 min, respectively, while palpebral and corneal reflexes were lost at 9.74±0.21 min and the return of head righting was observed at 41.41±2.78 min after thiopentone administration indicating the start of recovery period. Complete recovery took 68.77±1.20 min after thiopentone administration. Significant hyperglycaemia was observed (77.9±3.072 mg/dL) at 10 min of xylazine administration, which remained elevated throughout the period of observation. Sodium and potassium levels increased significantly at 10 min of xylazine administration and remained elevated till recovery, while other blood biochemical parameters showed no significant changes. The heart rate significantly increased after acepromazine administration. Mean arterial pressure, with an initial increase at 15 min of glycopyrrolate administration, decreased significantly immediately after thiopentone administration and remained lower throughout the period of observation. Central venous pressure increased after xylazine administration and remained high throughout the period of observation. The cardiovascular parameters remained within the normal limits. It was concluded that the combination may be used to anaesthetize the buffaloes, as there were minimal side effects with good anaesthesia.