Physiological, haemodynamic and haematological changes due to medetomidine-pethidine induced neuroleptanalgesia in experimental dogs

Medetomidine @ 30 mu g/kg body weight (group A) and a combination of medeto midine @30 mu g/kg and pethidine @ 2 mg/kg body weight (group B) were given in atropinized dogs divided into 2 groups of 5 animals each. Animals of gr oup A showed only moderate sedation/analgesia but group B animals were comp letely anaesthetized for 30-45 min with excellent muscle relaxation. Transi ent but significant (P < 0.05) increase in heart rate and decrease in respi ratory rate was recorded in both the groups. Arterial pressure and central venous pressure also showed significant increase (P<0.05) in both the group s but changes between the groups were insignificant. Haematological paramet ers (Hb, PCV, TEC, TLC) were not altered significantly in both the groups. Pethidine enhanced the analgesic and sedative effects of medetomidine subst antially without potentiating its cardiovascular effects. The combination m ay be used safely for anaesthesia in dogs.