Detomidine hydrochloride is relatively a new sedative and has shown go
od results at low doses in horses (Clarke and Taylor, 1986). Margin of
safety appears to be high. Vainio (1985) evaluated detomidine in adul
t cattle at dose range of 30 to 150 mug i.m. and reported adequate sed
ation and analgesia. The required dose for cattle has been reported to
be in the range of 30 to 60 mug/kg (Alitalo, 1986). In the present re
port, the sedative and analgesic properties of detomidine in cattle in
the dose range of 5 to 40 mug using both i.m and i.v routes have been
evaluated. Effects of the drug on haematology and certain blood bioch
emical constituents were also studied.