A. M. Pawde

Physiologic and biochemical effects of subarachnoidally administered xylazine and medetomidine in goats.

Clinicophysiological, haematological and biochemical effects of xylazine (0.05mgkg(-1)) and medetomidine (0.01mgkg(-1)) were studied in nine adult goats after lumbosacral subarachnoid administration. The onset of analgesia by xylazine and medetomidine was observed in 9.11+/-1.07 and 8.66+/-2.37min (mean+/-S.E.), respectively. Both alpha(2)-agonists produced moderate analgesia of hind quarter, perineum and flank, mild ataxia and sedation. The duration of analgesia after xylazine administration was 134.44+/-8.87min and that after medetomidine was 158.33+/-9.96min (mean+/-S.E.). Xylazine and medetomidine induced significant (p<0.05) decrease in heart rate, respiratory rate and hypothermia. Haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and total leukocyte count (TLC) decreased significantly. Changes in the physiological and haematological parameters were transient in nature. Xylazine and medetomidine produced a significant (p<0.05) increase in creatinine and glucose levels. However, these parameters fluctuated within normal range and started to recover within 120min. However, serum urea nitrogen (SUN), serum chloride, sodium and potassium did not show any significant change. The effects produced by xylazine and medetomidine were however, comparable at these dose levels. The study indicates that xylazine at 0.05mgkg(-1) and medetomidine at 0.01mgkg(-1) did not induce any serious alteration in the physiological, haematological and biochemical parameters and can be safely used in inducing hind quarter, flank and perineal analgesia in goats.

Clinicophysiological effects of spinally administered ketamine and its combination with xylazine and medetomidine in healthy goats.

The study was conducted in 9 healthy adult goats of either sex, weighing 15–20 kg, to evaluate and compare the clinicophysiological effects of spinally administered ketamine alone and in combination with xylazine and medetomidine. Nine trials each of the three treatments were conducted randomly by injecting ketamine (2.5 mg/kg) (n = 9), ketamine and xylazine (2.5 mg/kg and 0.05 mg/kg) (n = 9) and ketamine and medetomidine (2.5 mg/kg and 10 μg/kg) (n = 9). The drugs were administered at the lumbosacral subarachnoid space under strict aseptic conditions. The treatments were evaluated on the basis of clinicophysiological, haematological, biochemical and haemodynamic observations. Ketamine produced mild to moderate analgesia of the hindquarters. Its combination with either xylazine or medetomidine produced complete analgesia of the hindquarters for 45–60 min. Ataxia was moderate in the ketamine group, whereas animals attained sternal recumbency in the combination groups. A moderate degree of sedation was recorded in the combination groups. Heart rate and respiratory rate depression in the combination groups and heart rate and respiratory rate stimulation in ketamine group were recorded. Haematological parameters decreased in all the groups. Increase in serum glucose, creatinine and urea nitrogen was recorded in all the groups. Serum electrolytes did not show any significant change. The results showed that the combination of ketamine with xylazine or medetomidine at these dose rates produced a comparable degrees of analgesia of hindquarters with transient and minimal cardiopulmonary side effects.

Comparison of two doses of ropivacaine for lumbosacral epidural analgesia in buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis)

Six male buffalo calves aged from six to eight months and weighing 100 to 120 kg were used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of caudal epidural analgesia produced by doses of 37·5 mg (5 ml) and 75 mg (10 ml) ropivacaine (0·75 per cent). The study was completed in two phases. In phase 1, all the animals were used twice to evaluate the analgesic and clinical effects of two doses of ropivacaine. In phase 2, the animals were divided into two groups of three to evaluate the effects of two doses of ropivacaine on some haemodynamic and acid-base parameters. Signs of analgesia, as evidenced by a loss of response to pinprick stimulation, were recorded only at the tail, perineum and hindlimbs of the animals given 5 ml ropivacaine, but they extended from the tail to the thorax (T9) in the animals given 10 ml ropivacaine. The duration of analgesia was five to six hours in the animals given 5 ml ropivacaine and seven to eight hours in the animals given 10 ml ropivacaine. Animals of both groups became recumbent, but the score for ataxia was higher in the animals given 10 ml ropivacaine. The respiratory rate decreased significantly (P<0·05) below the baseline in the animals given 10 ml ropivacaine, but the rectal temperature, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure and acid-base and electrolyte parameters did not change significantly in either group.

Clinicophysiological effects of Medetomidine in female goats

Abstract The clinicophysiological and haematological effects of Medetomidine were recorded in six adult female goats. Intramuscular injection of Medetomidine, 15 μg kg −1 , induced bradycardia, hypothermia, increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and fall in central venous pressure (CVP). Electrocardiographic recordings were characterised by sinus arrhythmia at 5 min and sinus tachycardia at 60 and 90 min. Haemoglobin, packed cell volume (PCV) and total leucocyte count (TLC) decreased significantly. Changes in physiological and blood parameters were transient in nature and started to recover within 90 min. However, serum sodium, potassium and chloride did not show any significant change. The study indicates that Medetomidine at 15 μg kg −1 does not induce serious alterations in physiological, haemodynamic, haematological and electrolyte homeostasis and therefore, may be considered safe for use in goats.

Effect of Ultrasound Therapy on Muscular Injury in Rabbits

Abstract Maiti, S.K., Kumar, N., Singh, G.R., Pawde, A.M., Hoque, M. and Singh, R. 2004, Effect of ultrasound therapy on muscular injury in rabbits. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 26: 67–72. The effect of ultrasound therapy on the healing of muscular injury was studied in 12 adult New Zealand white rabbits divided equally into two groups. A longitudinal incision of 8–10 cm long was made in the middle of biceps femoris muscle under Ketamine-Xylazine anesthesia. The muscle was bluntly separated until the underlying femur was visible. The incised muscle and skin were sutured and treated by standard procedure. Ultrasound therapy at the rate of 0.5 w/cm2 was given daily for 5 min starting 48 h after injury for 7 days in group A. The inflammatory swelling, lameness, pain, respiration and rectal temperature rose significantly for the first 3 consecutive days in both the groups. Resolution of inflammatory swelling, pain and weight bearing was earlier in group A followed by group B. There was complete bridging of incised wounds with persistent and moderate fibroblastic and angioblastic activity in test group. The degree of regeneration of muscle fibers was quicker in therapy group than control. Special staining of muscle biopsy samples further confirmed the clinical, ultrasonographical and histiopathological findings that ultrasound therapy helped healing.

Evaluation of tissue-engineered bone constructs using rabbit fetal osteoblasts on acellular bovine cancellous bone matrix.

Aim: The aim of this study was to generate composite bone graft and investigate the rabbit fetal osteoblasts adhesion, proliferation and penetration on acellular matrices of cancellous bone. Materials and Methods: Acellular cancellous bone was prepared and developed as in the previous study with little modification. These matrices were decellularized by rapid freeze and thaw cycle. To remove the cell debris, they were then treated with hydrogen peroxide (3%) and ethanol to remove antigenic cellular and nuclear materials from the scaffold. Primary osteoblast cells were harvested from 20 to 22 days old rabbit fetal long and calvarial bone. These cells were cultured and characterized using a specific marker. The third passaged fetal osteoblast cells were then seeded on the scaffold and incubated for 14 days. The growth pattern of the cells was observed. Scanning electron microscope and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to investigate cells proliferation. Results: The cells were found to be growing well on the surface of the scaffold and were also present in good numbers with the matrix filopodial extensions upto inside of the core of the tissue. Conclusion: Thus, a viable composite scaffold of bone could be developed which has a great potential in the field of bone tissue engineering.

Hepatic liposarcoma in dog - A rare clinical case

A rare case of liposarcoma in a Cocker spaniel dog is presented in this paper. Laparoscopic examination of the liver showed pale enlarged liver with multiple circumscribed raised nodules bulging from surface of left lateral, right lateral and quadrate lobes. The nodules were round to ovoid in shape and were soft in consistency.

Unusually large basal cell carcinoma involving ear canal in a German Shepherd dog

A case of unusually large basal cell carcinoma involving ear pinna has been presented. Grossly it was a big ulcerated tumour mass which showed oozing of pus. Cytology revealed only inflammatory growth. Histologically, proliferating basal epidermal tumour cells showed papillary, solid as well as adenoid pattern of growth.