Blood and biochemical profiles following lumbosacral epidural anaesthesia with ropivacaine and its combination with fentanyl citrate in goats

A A total of 10 clinically healthy goats of 1–3 years aged and weighing between 10–15 kg were randomly divided into two groups of five animals each. Ropivacaine (0.75%) @ 1 mg/kgbwt was epidurally administered in the lumbosacral space in group I whereas, the animals of group II were given fentanyl @ 2 μg/kgbwt, respectively in combination with ropivacaine hydrochloride (1 mg/kgbwt). A significant hyperglycemia was recorded at 1 hr in group I and 2 hrs in group II. However, changes in these values were reversible and returned towards normalcy by the end of observation. Haemato-biochemical parameters (Hb, PCV, TLC, TEC, DLC, BUN, creatinine, ALT, AST and total protein) showed non–significant alterations at different intervals of observation in both the groups. A consistent and significant increase in neutrophil noticed up to 4 hrs of observation in group I and II with comparison to the base line value. It is concluded that the ropivacaine in combination with fentanyl citrate did not produce deleterious effect on vital organs as revealed by transient changes in haemato-biochemical parameters.