Evaluation of midazolam and midazolam-butorphanol premedications for general anaesthesia in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Effects of midazolam-thiopentone-isoflurane and midazolambutorphanol-thiopentone-isoflurane anaesthesia on clinicophysiological and haematobiochemical parameters were studied and compared in buffaloes. Twelve buffaloes of either sex were randomly assigned to two groups having six animals each. Premedication was done with midazolam (0.2 mg/kg i.v.) in group I, and midazolam (0.2 mg/kg i.v.) and butorphanol (0.02 mg/kg i.v.) in group II. Anaesthesia was induced by thiopentone sodium (5%, 10 mg/kg i.v.) and maintained with isoflurane-oxygen (2.5–4%) in both groups up to 60 min. Clinicophysiological and haematobiochemical parameters were recorded till 90 min. Scores of sedation, muscle relaxation, induction and recovery quality were significantly (P<0.05) higher in group II. Significant (P<0.05) decrease in heart and respiratory rates and significant (P<0.01) decrease in mean arterial pressure were observed in group I. Rectal temperature decreased significantly (P<0.05) in both groups. Recovery time was significantly (P<0.05) shorter in group II. The anaesthetic combination of midazolam-butorphanol-thiopentoneisoflurane provides adequate sedation, analgesia and muscle relaxation with better preservation of physiological and haemotobiochemical parameters and a faster recovery from anaesthesia as compared to midazolam-thiopentone-isoflurane anaesthesia.