Evaluation of lorazepam-ketamine anaesthesia in buffalo calves

The study was undertaken on six clinically healthy male buffalo calves by injecting lorazepam (2.0 mg/kg, IV) and ketamine (6.0 mg/kg, IV). All the animals went into sternal recumbency immediately after administration of lorazepam. Animals went into lateral recumbency at 5.37±0.82 min of lorazepam administration. There was copious watery salivation. Ketamine was administered 10 minutes after lorazepam. The relaxation of muscles was of good quality and swallowing reflex was absent. Palpebral reflex was abolished at 15.55±2.33 minute. Anaesthesia remained for 33.69±3.81 min. All the animals returned to sternal recumbency at 52.07±4.29 min. All the animals took 2–3 attempts to stand up with hind limbs held apart and head down in 67.54±4.31 min. Complete recovery took 107.83±5.53 min (90 to 130 min). A non-significant increase in glucose was observed during lorazepam-ketamine anaesthesia, which became lower than the base value at 24 hours of recovery. A significant increase in calcium, SGPT, SGOT, bilirubin and chloride was observed. Alkaline phosphatase showed a significant decrease during anaesthesia, but the changes were transient in nature. The combination may be used for short term surgical procedures.