COMPARATIVE ANAESTHETIC EFFICACY OF PROPOFOL, THIOPENTAL SODIUM AND COMBINATION OF PROPOFOL WITH KETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE IN DOGS

The present study was undertaken to determine the comparative efficacy of propofol alone at two dosages, thiopental sodium and propofol in combination with ketamine hydrochloride in dogs. For this purpose, 24 healthy stray dogs were randomly divided into four equal groups viz. A, B, C and D. Groups A and B were treated with propofol at the dose rates of 6 and 10 mg/kg BW, respectively, while group C was given propofol and ketamine hydrochloride in combination @ 4 mg/kg BW each and group D was treated with thiopental sodium @ 20 mg/kg BW. Different reflexes were observed for evaluation of anaesthetic efficacy. Groups C and D showed rapid inductions, prolonged surgical stages and late recovery in most of the reflexes and group C showed smooth recovery than D. Groups A and B showed smooth induction, short surgical stages and rapid recovery. Group B also showed some disturbances in respiratory and cardiac activity of the animals. It was concluded that propofol in combination with ketamine hydrochloride is a safe anaesthetic agent for canines as an alternative of thiopental sodium for prolonged surgical procedures.