Effect of Thiopentone and Thiopentone-Vecuronium Total Intravenous Anaesthesia on Haematological, Biochemical and Electrocardiographic Parameters in Dogs

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of thiopentone and thiopentone-vecuronium on various biochemical, haematological and electrocardiographic parameters. It was also aimed to evaluate the suitability of this combination for total intravenous anaesthesia. Animals were divided into two groups and both the groups were given atropine followed by diazepam and pentazocine. Induction and maintenance were carried with thiopentone in both the groups but additionally the second group received vecuronium once the surgical plane of anaesthesia was attained. Blood samples were collected at different time points for estimation of haemoglobin, hematocrit and leukocyte counts. Plasma was used for glucose, plasma urea nitrogen, insulin and cortisol estimation. P,QRS and T-wave amplitude; QRS, PR andQT-intervals and P-wave duration were also measured. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in haemoglobin, hematocrit and leukocyte count within group-A. However, the differences between the groups were insignificant. Plasma urea nitrogen and creatinine increased significantly (p<0.05) in group-A at 90-minute interval. Plasma glucose did not vary significantly from base value within groups. However, at 0 and 90 minutes group-B had higher glucose levels than group-A. Group-A showed significantly (p<0.05) higher value of cortisol at 90-minute interval. Insulin levels stayed higher than the base value in both groups. Significantly (p<0.05) higher P-wave amplitude at 10, 45, 60 minutes was measured in group-A. No significant change in P-wave duration was observed. PR interval, QRS amplitude and QRS duration, QT interval and T-wave amplitude did not show any major differences. The study suggests that the alteration in various biochemical parameters were the outcome of general stress and those in haematology were due to pooling of blood. Thus, the combination provides haematological, biochemical and electrocardiographic stability and thus may be considered safe for dogs.