Caudal epidural analgesia using lidocaine alone or in combination with ketamine in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Authors

  • Omid Azari Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
  • Mohammad M Molaei Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
  • Amir H Ehsani Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate the analgesic effect of lidocaine and a combination of lidocaine and ketamine following epidural administration in dromedary camels. Ten 12–18-month-old camels were randomly divided into two equal groups. In group L, the animals received 2% lidocaine (0.22 mg/kg) and in group LK the animals received a mixture of 10% ketamine (1 mg/kg) and 2% lidocaine (0.22 mg/kg) administered into the first intercoccygeal (Co1–Co2) epidural space while standing. Onset time and duration of caudal analgesia, sedation level and ataxia were recorded after drug administration. Data were analysed by U Mann-Whitney tests and significance was taken as p < 0.05. The results showed that epidural lidocaine and co-administration of lidocaine and ketamine produced complete analgesia in the tail, anus and perineum. Epidural administration of the lidocaineketamine mixture resulted in mild to moderate sedation, whilst the animals that received epidural lidocaine alone were alert and nervous during the study. Ataxia was observed in all test subjects and was slightly more severe in camels that received the lidocaine-ketamine mixture. It was concluded that epidural administration of lidocaine plus ketamine resulted in longer caudal analgesia in standing conscious dromedary camels compared with the effect of administering lidocaine alone.

Author Biographies

  • Omid Azari, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman

    Department of Clinical Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran

  • Mohammad M Molaei, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman

    Department of Clinical Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran

  • Amir H Ehsani, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman

    Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran

Downloads

Published

2021-12-09

Issue

Section

Original Research