MVSc

The study was undertaken to evaluate the anaesthetic effect of propofol in
xylazine premedicated canine surgical patients.
Fifteen dogs of different breeds of either sex were divided into two
groups. Group I consisted of eight apparently healthy dogs presented for elective
surgery, and group 11 consisted of seven dogs presented for emergency surgery.
All the animals were premedicated with atropine sulphate @ 0.04 mg/kg
body weight IM and xylazine @ 1 mg/kg IM. Ten minutes later, general
anaesthesia was effected with intravenous injection of 1 % w/v propofol and was
maintained with incremental dose(s) ofpropofol as intermittent boli as and when
required.
Palpebral reflex was sluggish ill both groups during induction and
throughout the period of maintenance. Eyeball rolled down during induction
and remained in that position throughout the period of maintenance.
The duration of anaesthesia after initial bolus was 14.03 ± 2.04 min. in
group I and 18.54 ± 1.64 min. in group 11. The average incremental dose of
propofol needed was 2.78 ± 0.45 mg/kg in group I and 2.98 ± 0.50 mg/kg in
group H. The average duration of effect of incremental dose obtained was 10.04
± 0.75 min. in group I and 16.85 ± 2.71 min. in group H.

Animals of group I were able to stand by 14.72 ± 1.63 min. after recovery
while it was 20.9 ± 1.25 min. in group Il. The gait of the animals of group I
became apparently normal by 19.69 ± 1.55 minutes, while it was 27.2 ±
3.06 minutes in group II animals.
Respiration rate showed significant decrease in both the groups after
premedication and at 15 minutes after induction with propofol. Pulse rate and
heart rate decreased after premedication and increased on induction with
propofol. Electrocardiographic changes were transient. There was decrease in
haemoglobin concentration after premedication, which increased on induction in
both groups. Total erythrocyte count decreased on premedication and increased
on induction. Total leukocyte count decreased after premedication followed by
an increase after induction. Neutrophilia was observed both after premedication
and on induction with propofol in group I, where as in group II neutrophil count
showed a decrease on premedication which increased after induction.
Lymphocyte count decreased after premedication and increased after induction in
group 1. But in .group II lymphocyte count showed an increase after
premedication, which decreased on induction of anaesthesia.
Serum sodium and potassium concentrations, total serum protein content
and albumin/globulin ratio did not show any significant change during the study ..
Propofol under atropine-xylazine premedication was found to be an
effective and safe anaesthetic for. induction and maintenance of anaesthesia for
surgery in both healthy and compromised dogs with less side effects.