Comparison of three ketamine drug combinations for short term anaesthesia in West African Dwarf goats.

The anaesthetic qualities of single intravenous (IV) injection of Xylazine/Ketamine (XK) at a dose of 0.05/25mg/kg, acepromazine/ketamine (AK) at a dose of 0.05/25mg/kg and diazepam/ketamine (DK) at a dose of 0.5/25mg/kg were evaluated and compared in five non-fasted West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. The mean heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were measured in the anaesthetized goats placed in lateral position. Surgical anaesthetic time, recumbency time, standing time and time to feeding were also calculated. The anaesthetized goats were observed for the presence or absence of the side effects of the drugs administered. The mean HR in the XK group was significantly (P 0.05) different. Also the standing time of 6.4 ± 2.0 min for XK, 14.0 ± 7.6 min for DK and 4.0 ± 1.3 min for AK were not significantly (P>0.05) different. The following side-effects were noted: salivation, ruminal tympany, urination, open eyelids and apneustic breathing in all the three groups. It was concluded that the surgical anaesthetic time was longest with XK, shortest with AK and intermediate with DK. The three ketamine drug combinations were safe for clinical use in WAD goats in lateral position since no significant cardiopulmonary embarrassment was noted. However, XK combination appears to be the ideal drug combination and should be used for general anaesthesia in WAD Goats Agro-Science Vol. 6 (2) 2007: pp. 67-71