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

Twelve experimental trials were undertaken on clinically healthy male buffalo calves, 6 to 18 months of age, and weighing between 70 and 150 kg with the objective to evaluate atropineacepromazine-xylazine-thiopentone combination as general anaesthetic. Atropine (0.04 mg/kg, i.m.) followed by acepromazine (0.04 mg/kg, i.m.), xylazine (0.04 mg/kg, i.m.) and thiopentone 5% (5.0 mg/kg, i.v.) were administered. Animals showed the signs of central nervous system depression, followed by sternal recumbency with complete muscle relaxation, loss of corneal and palpebral reflexes and complete analgesia. The heart rate increased initially and then decreased after thiopentone administration, alongwith decrease in mean arterial pressure. Minor changes in T-wave and ST-segment were observed during the experiment. The cardiovascular parameters remained within the normal limits throughout the period of observation. It was concluded that the combination may be used to anaesthetize the buffaloes safely.