Authors : Hadi Dadafarid and Alireza Najafpour
Abstract: One of the most common ways of analgesia in small ruminants, especially sheep, is epidural method. Various agents are used in sheep. The objective of this study, is to evaluate effects of three analgesic agents, Bupivacaine (B), Ketamine (K) and their combination (BK), on some of the hematochemical parameters in Chall sheep following caudal epidural injection. Nine healthy Chall sheep (4 males, 5 females) with mean weight of 38.89�15.12 kg and aged 12-24 months were selected randomly and divided into three groups. The animals in group I received 0.5 mg kg 1 bupivacaine, in group II received 2.5 mg kg 1 ketamine and in group III received a combination of 0.25 and 1.25 mg kg 1 bupivacaine and ketamine, respectively. Injections were performed in epidural space and blood samples were obtained before injection (baseline) and 30 min thereafter. For biochemical evaluation, glucose, BUN, creatinine, TP, SGPT, Na+ and K+ and for hematologic evaluation, PCV, RBC, WBC and differential count of WBC, were measured. All data were analyzed by paired-samples t-test. Serum glucose level showed significant changes in all groups (p<0.05). Also, significant changes were observed in RBC and TP levels in group III (p<0.05). Other parameters did not show significant differences (p>0.05). It is concluded that bupivacaine and ketamine combination can be used for a safe and effective epidural analgesia in Chall sheep.
Hadi Dadafarid and Alireza Najafpour , 2008. Hematochemical Changes Following Epidural Analgesia by Bupivacaine, Ketamine and Their Combination in Chall Sheep. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 7: 1524-1527.