The efficacy of medetomidine HCl as epidural anesthetic was experimentally assessed in 24 healthy buffalo calves of either sex and  body weights ranging from 65-85 kg. The animals were randomly divided into 6 groups A1, A2, A3, A4, B and C (n=4). Medetomidine HCl was used at four different doses 15, 30, 45 and 60 µg/kg BW, respectively in first four groups. Group B animals were administered with lignocaine HCl 2% and normal saline (3mL) was administered epidurally in Group C (control). The onset and duration of analgesia were evaluated after every 15 min, using the pin prick and pinch tests. The onset of skin analgesia was dose dependent, higher and rapid with increase in dose and was earlier in animals of group A than B. Significant change in the duration of analgesia was observed till 40 min post injection (P<0.05). The recovery pattern showed a similar trend. The sedation score showed a significant dose dependent effect, becoming more pronounced as the dose of medetomidine HCl was increased in subgroups A1, A2, A3 and A4, respectively. Group B animals showed very mild sedation, while in group C, no sedation was observed at any stage. Thus it was concluded that despite early induction and longer duration of analgesia, medetomidine HCl at these doses is suitable for standing surgeries of hindquarters in buffalo calves. There was ideal onset and duration of analgesia and there was optimal sedation due to effective absorption of drug from injection site.

Key words: Buffalo calves, Epidural anesthetic, Lignocaine, Medetomidine HCl, Normal saline