Chloral hydrate for general annaesthesia in goats

Abstract

Thirtysix apparently healthy alpins – malabari cross- bred bucks aged from 17 to 30 months and weighing from 22 to 39.5 kg were used for the present study. They were divided into two groups viz., Group I and II, consisting of 18 animals in each. Each of these groups was further divided into three subgroups viz. A, B and C, consisting of six animals in each.

Freshly prepared chloral hydrate six per cent solution was administered intravenously at the rate of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 ml per kg bodyweight, while triflupromazine hydrochloride (Siquil) at the rate of 0.2 mg per kg bodyweight was also administered intravenously as the premedicant , in group II.

Following were the salient results obtained during the present study:

When the dose of chloral hydrate was increased,

1) Disappearance of palpebral reflex was quicker and duration was longer, 2) Setting in of incoordination of movements was quicker and the time for assuming the normal gait was longer and 3) Recumbency was seen only in higher doses.

Administration of triflupromazine hydrochloride (siquil) as premedicant , increased the efficiency of anaesthetic effect in these animals.

Temperature variation consequent on the administration of chloral hydrate, with and without premedication , was not significant the variation being less than 10 P.

There was an increase in the rate of respiration and pulse within five minutes of administration of the drug (s), which showed a gradual downward trend.

There was reduction in the erythrocyte count, haemoglobin and packed cell volume, while there was slight increase in the leucocyte count.

On the basis of the present study, intravenous administration of chloral hydrate, six per cent solution, at the rate of two ml per kg bodyweight, may be recommended in goats, for surgical procedures of about half an hour durations. Premedication with triflupromazine hydrochloride at the rate of 0.2 mg per kg bodyweight would give better results.