Hematological Effects of Ketofol in Acepromazine or Medetomidine Sedated Dogs

Abstract

This was a randomized blinded clinical study conducted to evaluate the effects of ketofol on hematological parameters in acepromazine and medetomidine sedated dogs. Twelve (12) entire male mongrel dogs were randomly divided into two groups (Group A and Group B) of six (6) dogs each. Dogs in Group A were premedicated with acepromazine at 0.1 mg/kg BWT and those in Group B with medetomidine at 0.02 μg/kg BWT. Anaesthesia in both groups was induced and maintained using Ketofol (4.0 mg/kg (2 mg/kg Ketamine and 2 mg/kg Propofol) BWT. This was followed by castration in all dogs and assessment of parameters. Hematological parameters evaluated comprised of total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leucocyte count (TLC), total platelet count (TPC), packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin concentration (Hb). Data was expressed as Mean ±SD and compared between the two groups using student t-test. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. ACP-Ketofol significantly reduced TEC (P=0.001), TLC (P=0.007), PCV (P=0.02) and Hb (P=0.04) compared to Med-Ketofol. These changes did not lead to any notable deleterious effects in the patients post-operatively and into recovery. However, prudent perioperative monitoring of dogs, more so those under acepromazine-ketofol anaesthesia is imperative so as to reduce anaesthesia related morbidity and mortality.