Cardiopulmonary effects of epidural xylazine or detomidine with and without local anaesthetics in recumbent buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Epidural administration of xylazine (@0.10 mu g/kg) or detomidine (@ 50 mu g/kg) with and without lignocaine (@0.22 mu g/kg) or bupivacaine (@ 0.11 mu g/kg) in male buffalo calves caused an initial significant (P < 0.01) incr ease followed by a significant (P < 0.01)decrease in mean arterial pressure . The central venous pressure increased significantly (P < 0.01) between 5 to 90 min. ECG revealed, transient decrease in P-wave duration, increase in QRS duration and amplitude, 'T' wave amplitude, PR and QT interval and inc omplete A.V. block. Expired tidal and minute volume showed a significant (P < 0.01) decrease for first 75 min. The cardiopulmonary depression induced by epidural xylazine or detomidine with and without local anaesthetics was well tolerated by all the treated animals.