Clinicophysiological and haematobiochemical effects of dexmedetomidine-etomidate-sevoflurane anaesthesia in dogs

The study was conducted in 12 adult dogs of either sex divided in two groups, to study the clinicophysiological and haematobiochemical effects of two doses of dexmedetomidine (10 μg/kg b.wt and 15 μg/kg b.wt) with etomidate and sevoflurane anaesthesia. In group A, atropine sulphate (0.04 mg/kg b.wt, s.c.) + dexmedetomidine (10 μg/kg b.wt, i.v.) and in group B, atropine sulphate (0.04 mg/kg b.wt, s.c.) + dexmedetomidine (15 μg/kg b.wt, i.v.) were admininistered. Anaesthesia was induced with etomidate administered i.v. till effect and maintained with sevoflurane in both groups. Induction time and MAC of sevoflurane were significantly (P<0.05) lower in group B compared to group A; whereas the duration of anaesthesia was significantly (P<0.01) longer in animals of group B. There was non-significant (P<0.05) reduction in the dose of induction agent in group B. Values of serum glucose, ALT and creatinine increased significantly (P<0.01) while haemoglobin, serum insulin and serum cortisol levels decreased significantly (P<0.01) in both groups. Nonsignificant differences in haematobiochemical parameters were observed between two groups. Both the anaesthetic combinations used in the study produced satisfactory anaesthesia but their use was accompanied by decreased levels of cortisol in both groups. Therefore, etomidate should be used cautiously in critically ill and traumatised patients.