COMPARISION OF SEDATIVE EFFECT OF DEXMEDETOMIDINE/ XYLAZINE IN COMBINATION WITH BUTORPHANOL-MIDAZOLAM AS PREANAESTHETIC TO KETAMINE ANAESTHESIA FOR OVARIOHYSTERECTOMY IN DOGS.

The research was conducted in 12 female dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy. They were divided into two groups of six animals each to evaluate and compare sedative effect in Group-I atropine- meloxicam - dexmedetomidine - butorphanol - midazolam - ketamine and Group-II atropine- meloxicam - xylazine - butorphanol - midazolam - ketamine anaesthetic combination. Maintenance of anaesthesia was done by ketamine in both the groups. Anaesthetic combinations were evaluated by clinical and physiological observations. Adequate muscle relaxation, sedation and analgesia necessary for surgical intervention were achieved along with smooth and uneventful recovery of the patients. Onset of sedation and induction time were quicker in Group-I. Physiological parameters fluctuated within the normal limits. Both anaesthetic protocols in the present study provided satisfactory surgical plane of anaesthesia in dogs. But dexmedetomidine may be preferred over xylazine in the anaesthetic regimen of atropine-meloxicam-butorphanolmidazolam- ketamine for elective ovariohysterectomy in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]