Sedative/Analgesic
Efficacy of Medetomidine in Goats
Amir Bukhsh Kalhoro* and Abdul Qayoom Memon
Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and
Veterinary Sciences, SindhAgricultureUniversity, Tandojam
*Corresponding author: amirkalhoro@yahoo.com
Abstract
Sedative and analgesic
efficacy of three intravenous doses of medetomidine, i.e., 4, 5 and 6 µg/kg BW
was studied in six goats. A randomized cross over experimental design was used.
Onset of sedation, onset of optimal sedation, duration of optimal sedation and
degree of sedation were measured and found to be dose dependent. Dose 4 µg/kg
produced light sedation whereas 5 and 6 µg/kg produced moderate and deep
sedation, respectively. Total duration of sedation was 60.58±2.21, 83.50±3.75
and 104.33±4.30 min after administration of 4, 5 and 6µg/kg medetomidine,
respectively. The duration of sedation was significantly (P≤0.01)
longer with 6 µg/kg as compared to 4 and 5µg/kg. Onset and duration of analgesia
were dose dependent. The mean values for onset of analgesia were 25.00±3.00,
24.16±1.74 and 12.00±1.50 min and duration of analgesia was 8.00±2.00,
17.16±1.81 and 31.50±2.61 min after administration of 4, 5 and 6 µg/kg
medetomidine, respectively. Skin analgesia and muscle relaxation were produced
in all animals with higher doses (5 and 6 µg/kg) and only in 2 animals with 4
µg/kg of medetomidine. It was concluded that medetomidine is a highly potent
drug which can be effectively used in the dose rates of 4 to 5µg /kg I/V for
sedation in goats.