Effects of Intrathecal Administration of Ketamine HCl in Young Calves: A Clinical Trial

The purpose of the study was to investigate the clinical, biochemical, and cardiovascular effects of intrathecal (IT) administration of ketamine HCl in calves. The study was performed on seven Simmental and three Montofon calves, 1.70 ± 1.16 weeks old, weighing approximately 37 kg, undergoing surgical procedures including femur fracture repair (one case), atresia anus (five cases), prolapsed rectum (one case), suturing on rear limbs (two cases), and urethrostomy (one case). After administering IT ketamine HCl at a dose of 3 mg/kg to all calves, the level and depth of the anaesthesia was checked with a pin-prick test. Each animal was monitored by recording heart rate, arterial blood pressure, respiratory rates, and rectal temperature. Furthermore, certain biochemical parameters, blood gases, oxygen-total haemoglobin, and electrolyte levels were measured. All data were statistically evaluated using Minitab 16 software. Anaesthesia occurred in all calves at an average of 5.00 ± 1.41 min (range: 3-7) and continued for an average of 61.4 ± 40 min (range: 55-70). Sufficient anaesthesia was achieved in all animals for the required operations, and no complications occurred with regard to clinical and haemodynamic measurements. We concluded that in calves, which are not deemed suitable for administration of local anaesthetic via IT due to certain side effects, sufficient anaesthesia can be provided with ketamine by the same method for operations performed in the perineal area and hind extremities, and that this could be a good alternative for anaesthesia under field conditions.