Evaluation of Diazepam-ketamine as Anaesthetic Combination in Buffalo Calves

A study was undertaken on six male buffalo calves by administering diazepam (0.75 mg/kg, IV) and ketamine (6.0 mg/ kg, IV) 10 min after diazepam. All the animals went into sternal recumbency immediately after diazepam administration followed by lateral recumbency at 6.89 min. Relaxation of muscles was excellent. Swallowing reflex was abolished. There was complete analgesia at fetlock, base of tail, abdomen, ribs' periosteum and base of horn and it remained for 21.47 min. Recovery was manifested by the movement of limbs at 50.32 min with return of head righting reflex at 54.25 min. Complete recovery took 142.36 min (114 to 164 min). Rectal temperature was significantly lower during anaesthesia. Heart rate remained elevated throughout the entire period of observation. A significant increase in aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase was observed in these calves. Bilirubin remained significantly elevated during anaesthesia. Magnesium was significantly lower at 24 hour after recovery.