Effects of the combination of ketamine and medetomidine anaesthesia on haematological parameters in Sahel goats

The effects of the combination of ketamine and medetomidine intravenous (IV) anaesthesia on haematological parameters were evaluated in six sahel goats comprising of 5 females and 1 male with mean body weight of 19 ± 1.4kg. Each goat was given a recommended dose of the drugs combination: medetomidine at 0.01mg/kg and ketamine at 5mg/kg body weight IV. Pre injection blood samples were obtained and at 15 minutes interval during anaesthesia in EDTA bottles and later analyzed. The parameters evaluated were packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and differential leucocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes and monocytes). The ketamine-medetomidine combination produced a significant decrease in PCV values from 30 minutes (24.00±1.23%) to 90 minutes (25.00±2.55%) compared with baseline value (29.50±1.52%); Hb also decreased significantly at 45mins. RBC and WBC values showed no significant difference compared with baseline values. Neutrophils decreased significantly at 45mins (35.17±3.25) compared to baseline value (41.50±3.67). There were no significant differences in lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils values from baseline. The ketamine and medetomidine combination produced decreases in PCV, Hb and neutrophils. The goats recovered from anaesthesia uneventfully.