Evaluation of Acepromazine, Detomidine and Diazepam as Sedatives in Buffalo Calves (Bubalus bubalis)

Administration of acepromazine animals sleepy and went to sternal or lateral recumbency. There was no cutaneous analgesia. Animals showed salivation, defecation and lacrimation. Detomidine produced good sedation in all the animals. There was diminished response to pin pricks. Animals recovered after 108±4 minutes. Rectal temperature increased significantly at recovery while there was a significant decrease in heart rate at the peak effect of detomidine and at recovery. Respiratory rate also fell significantly. There was no significant change in haematological parameters. Blood glucose increased significantly at the peak effect of drug and at recovery. There was a significant decrease in plasma proteins and cholesterol values. Diazepam produced good sedation and muscle relaxation in all the animals. Animals showed salivation but no cutaneous analgesia and the complete recovery took 265±2 minutes. Rectal temperature was significantly elevated at peak effect. There was no significant change in heart rate. The respiratory rate was elevated significantly at recovery. There were no significant changes in haemato-biochemical parameters.