Antinociceptive, sedative, and cardiopulmonary effects of intravenous lidocaine in one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Intravenous (IV) 3 mg kg-1 lidocaine was evaluated in 7 healthy camels. Baseline nociceptive threshold, sedation score, respiratory rate, heart rate, arterial blood pressure (ABP) and rectal temperature were determined, and further recorded at 5, 10, 20, 40, 60 minutes after treatment. Some haematology and biochemistry parameters were assessed at baseline, and at 10, 60 minutes after treatment. There was significant effect on nociceptive threshold at all time points compared to baseline, and significant increase in sedation score between 5 and 40 minutes. Respiratory rate, heart rate, and rectal temperature did not differ significantly, while diastolic ABP increased significantly at 10 minutes after treatment. There was no significant difference in all haematological and biochemical measured parameters. These results showed that IV lidocaine was safe, useful in providing antinociception and sedation, and coupled with minimal cardiovascular effects in camels.