The study was conducted to evaluate the sedative, physio-haemodynamic and haemato-biochemical effects of two doses of dexmedetomidine in camels. The experiment was conducted on 6 adult male camels in a randomised cross over design. The camels were randomly divided into two treatment groups, Dex1 (dexmedetomidine 2.5 μg/kg b.wt) and Dex2 (dexmedetomidine 4 μg/kg b.wt). Sedation, analgesia, physio-haemodynamic parameters and haemato-biochemical parameters were recorded at T- 0 (pre-administration) and at T -15, 30, 60, 90 and T-120 minutes post-administration. The onset of sedation was quicker (6.10 ±0.44 min) in Dex2 than (6.85± 0.45 min) Dex1 group. The duration of sedation and complete recovery time in Dex2 group (40.05 ± 1.47 min and 64.32 ± 1.72 min, respectively) was significantly (P<0.01) longer than Dex1 group (25.85 ±0.97 min and 43.14 ± 1.13 min, respectively). The extent of sedation and analgesia was significantly (P<0.05) more prominent in Dex2 than Dex1 group. Heart rate and pulse rate decreased significantly (P<0.05) in Dex2 group at 15, 30 and 45 min. interval but no significant difference was observed between the groups. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased initially in both groups and later followed a decreasing trend. Haematological studies revealed non-significant changes in haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count and differential leukocyte count at various time intervals in both the groups. Biochemical parameters viz, blood glucose, AST, ALT, ALKP, serum urea nitrogen, creatinine and cortisol showed non-significant changes at various time intervals in both groups. The changes observed in physiological and haemato-biochemical parameters were transient and within the normal range in both the groups. It was concluded that dexmedetomidine 4 μg/kg b.wt (Dex2) produced better sedation without significant alterations in vital parameters and therefore, may be employed safely for sedation and analgesia in camels.
Key words: Analgesia, camel, dexmedetomidine, sedation
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