Hysiological and hemato-biochemical effects of total intravenous administration of ketamine, propofol and their combinations in mixed-breed dogs
| dc.contributor.author | Felix, Albert Kiwale | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-01-22T16:41:05Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-01-22T16:41:05Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024 | |
| dc.description | Disssertation | |
| dc.description.abstract | There is increasing interest towards Total Intravenous Anaesthesia (TIVA) among veterinarians. However, information on its application in mixed breed dogs is limited. Data on the effects of ketamine, propofol and their combination ‘ketofol’ administered through TIVA in mixed breed dogs is also insufficient. This study assessed some of the physiological, hematological and biochemical effects of induction and maintenance of anaesthesia using ketamine and propofol individually, but also as a combination in mixed-breed dogs. Ten healthy adult mixed-breed dogs were divided into five treatment groups in a repeated crossover experiment. Treatments provided were ketamine (KK), propofol (PP) and ketamine + propofol (ketofol) at 1:1 (KP1), 1:2 (KP2) and 1:3 (KP3) ratios. The dogs were premedicated with atropine (0.04 mg/kg IM) and xylazine (2 mg/kg IM). Anaesthetic induction was through intravenous administration of 5 mg/kg body weight in KK or PP; and 4 mg/kg bodyweight ketofol i.e. 2 mg ketamine + 2 mg propofol in KP1; 1.3 mg ketamine + 2.6 mg propofol in KP2 and 1 mg ketamine + 3 mg propofol in KP3. Maintenance was by constant rate infusion (CRI) of 0.3 mg/kg/min for 60 minutes in all the five groups. In the ketofol groups, the maintenance protocol was 0.15 mg/kg/min ketamine + 0.15 mg/kg/min propofol in KP1, 0.1 mg/kg/min ketamine + 0.2 mg/kg/min propofol in KP2 and 0.075 mg/kg/min ketamine + 0.225 mg/kg/min propofol in KP3. Physiological parameters assessed were rectal temperature, respiration rate, pulse rate and oxygen saturation. Induction and recovery time and quality were also determined, and side effects observed. Hematological assessment included absolute White Blood Cell (WBC) counts; differential lymphocyte, neutrophil and monocyte counts together with total Red Blood Cells (RBC), hematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin concentration (HB). Serum biochemical assessment included Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine levels. Means were compared between KP3 group had a significant decrease in the RBC count (p=0.006) and hemoglobin concentration (p=0.049) at the 60th minute. The decrease in the remaining groups was statistically not significant. Differences in the mean ALT level were significant among groups (p=0.047); KP2 had the highest mean (10.74 ± 0.24 U/L), while KP1 had the lowest (5.71 ± 0.00 U/L). Within protocols, there was a significant decrease in the PP group at the 30th minute (P<0.001). Changes in the other groups were not significant. Differences in the AST were also significant among groups (p=0.012). PP has the least mean concentration (6.06 ± 1.98 U/L), while KP2 had the highest (12.22 ± 3.1 U/L). KP2 had a significant decrease at the 60th minute (p<0.001). Changes in the other groups were not significant. Non significant differences were also noted in the creatinine and BUN concentration among groups, however there was a significant decrease in creatinine in KP2 from the 30 th to 60th minute (p<0.001), and a significant increase in BUN in the PP and KP3 groups at the 60th minute (p<0.001). In general; ketamine, propofol and the 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 Ketamine: Propofol combination ratios can safely be used in mixed breed dogs. However due to low respiration rates and oxygen saturation, coupled with decrease in red blood cell counts, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration observed in all the protocols; it is imperative to diligently monitor the animals while under anaesthesia, but also ensure a patent airway. In addition, under the conditions of this study, the 1:3 Ketamine:Propofol combination (KP3) resulted in relatively more stable and predictable physiological effects with less side effects in comparison to the 1:1 and 1:2 ratios. Further studies with increased sample sizes and longer monitoring periods would provide additional knowledge on the short- and long-term effects of these drugs and their combinations administered through TIVA in mixed breed dogs. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) through the Sokoine University of Agriculture’s Higher Education for Economic Transformation (SUA-HEET) project | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7249 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Sokoine University of Agriculture | |
| dc.subject | Dog | |
| dc.subject | Ketamine | |
| dc.subject | Propofol | |
| dc.subject | Total Intravenous Anaesthesia (TIVA) | |
| dc.title | Hysiological and hemato-biochemical effects of total intravenous administration of ketamine, propofol and their combinations in mixed-breed dogs | |
| dc.type | Thesis |