Comparative Evaluation of Dexmedetomidine and Fentanyl Citrate as Preanaesthetic to Intravenous Zoletil Anaesthesia in Goats (Capra hircus)

Background: Zoletil is a proprietary combination of equal parts of tiletamine and zolazepam with relatively short duration of action which necessitates administration of several maintenance doses. Zoletil combined with dexmedetomidine and fentanyl citrate in goats has not been reported in Indian literature. Therefore, the objective of present study was to compare the sedative, analgesic, anaesthetic efficacy and suitability of peanaesthetics in combination with intravenous zoletil anaesthesia in goats. Methods: Eighteen healthy non-descript goats of either sex, weighing between 20-25 kg were randomly divided into three groups (Group Z, DexZ and FentZ) with six animals in each. Atropine sulphate @ 0.04 mg/kg b.wt. intramuscularly was administered 10 min. prior to anaesthetic trail in all the animals of different groups. The animals of group Z received Zoletil alone @ 5.5 mg/kg by slow intravenous injection and kept as control. Ten minutes later, in groups DexZ and FentZ, dexmedetomidine @ 5 mcg/kg b.wt. and fentanyl citate @ 10 mcg/kgb.wt. were administered slow intravenously respectively. Anaesthesia was induced 10 minutes later by slow bolus dose of Zoletil @ 5.5 mg/kg b. wt. intravenously in animals of all the groups till the pedal reflex abolished. Result: The onset of sedation and induction of anaesthesia was quicker in group DexZ followed by FentZ and Z. Duration of anaesthesia and complete recovery time were significantly (P less than 0.05) longer in group DexZ as compared to group FentZ and Z. Analgesia was excellent in all the groups but of longer duration in animals of group DexZ. To conclude dexmedetomidine-zoletil combination produced prolonged duration of anaesthesia with excellent muscle relaxation suitable for long surgical procedure.