Quality of Anaesthesia Induced Using Diazepam-Thiopentone Sodium in Donkeys

Abstract

The anaesthetic properties of Thiopentone sodium (T) were evaluated in 12 clinically healthy male donkeys premdicated with diazepam (D). Animals were divided into two groups each of six. Donkeys were pre-medicated with diazepam (0.1 mg/kg) intravenously 10 minutes prior to the injection of the anaesthetic; and then Thiopentone sodium was injected at dose rate of 8 mg kg-1 body weight intravenously in the first group (TH1) and at 12 mg/kg in the second group (TH2). The quality of induction, recovery, and muscle relaxation was assessed. Respiratory and heart rate and rectal temperature were recorded using standard methods. The different anaesthetic phases (induction time, anaesthetic phase, sternal recumbency, lateral recumbency, and recovery time) were measured before, during and after induction of anaesthesia. Selected blood biochemical parameters were assayed before anaesthesia (time 0), 30, and 60 minutes after induction. Considerable sedation/tranquilization without excitement was achieved following pre-medication. Increasing the dose of thiopentone sodium from 8 to 12 mg kg-1 resulted in no significant decrease in induction time (P>0.05) and significant (P<0.05) increase in the duration of anaesthetic phase, sternal and lateral recumbancy and recovery phase. The use of thiopentonal sodium in both protocols tested was accompanied by significant increase (P<0.05) in heart rate, while rectal temperature showed no significant fluctuation. Animals anaesthetized with both protocols showed significant decrease (P<0.05) in respiratory rate immediately following induction of anaesthesia. There was nosignificant (P>0.05) change in all biochemical parameters tested. In conclusion, this simple anesthetic protocol can be used in donkeys and an acceptable anaesthesia with a reasonable recovery can be expected