Assessment of anaesthetic efficacy of ketamine, propofol and ketofol with xylazine and glycopyrrolate premedication for performing elective spaying in dogs

Abstract

Ketofol is a standardized formulation containing equal proportions of ketamine and propofol. It may be given separately or prepared as a single-syringe admixture for administration. Since reports regarding comparative study of Ketamine, Propofol and Ketofol as general anaesthesia in combination with Xylazine and Glycopyrrolate as premedication for performing elective spaying in dogs are limited. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to compare and evaluate the sedative and physiological effects of Ketamine, Propofol and Ketofol with Glycopyrrolate and Xylazine as premedication for total intravenous anaesthesia while performing elective spaying in dogs. The study compare the anaesthetic efficacy of Ketamine, Propofol and Ketofol with Xylazine premedication in eighteen clinically healthy female dogs, divided into three groups of six. All animals were premedicated with Glycopyrrolate @ 0.01 mg/kg BW and Xylazine @ 1 mg/kg BW intramuscularly 10 minutes prior to induction. Anaesthesia was induced intravenously via the cephalic vein using Ketamine @ 5 mg/kg BW in Group I, Propofol @ 4 mg/kg BW in Group II, and Ketofol@5mg/kg BW in Group III. The study showed that Xylazine followed by Ketofol produced the deepest sedation and longest anaesthesia duration, outperforming Xylazine-Ketamine and Xylazine-Propofol. Anaesthesia lasted significantly longer in the Ketofol and Ketamine groups than in the Propofol group. Anaesthetic quality was good in the Ketamine group, good to excellent in the Propofol group, and excellent in the Ketofol group. Recovery was smoothest with Ketofol, while one Ketamine-treated animals showed convulsions. Overall, Ketofol provided superior anaesthetic depth, duration, quality and safety.