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Abstract

Balanced anaesthetic techniques combining systemic sedation with regional analgesia are increasingly adopted to improve perioperative cardiovascular stability during routine canine surgeries. However, data describing the haematological and cardiovascular consequences of xylazine sedation combined with epidural bupivacaine–ketamine protocols in dogs remain limited. This study evaluated the cardiovascular and haematological responses to xylazine sedation combined with epidural bupivacaine, ketamine, or their combination in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Fifteen clinically healthy bitches (ASA I) were randomly assigned to receive epidural bupivacaine (1 mg/kg), ketamine (5 mg/kg), or a bupivacaine ketamine combination (0.5 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg, respectively) following intravenous xylazine sedation (2 mg/kg). Packed cell volume (PCV), heart rate (HR), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded at baseline and at 30-minute intervals intraoperatively. Data were analysed using repeated-measures ANOVA (P ≤ 0.05). All protocols induced time-dependent reductions in PCV; however, the magnitude varied significantly between groups. Bupivacaine alone produced the most pronounced and sustained PCV decline, whereas the combination protocol was associated with transient reductions followed by recovery to baseline by 90–120 minutes. Heart rate increased in all groups, with a progressive rise in the bupivacaine and ketamine groups. In contrast, the combination group demonstrated a biphasic HR response, characterised by an early increase and subsequent stabilisation during the late intraoperative phase. MAP decreased initially in all groups but recovered more rapidly and remained higher in the combination group during mid-to-late anaesthesia. Xylazine sedation combined with epidural bupivacaine–ketamine provides superior haemodynamic stability and improved preservation of PCV compared with single-agent epidural protocols. This combination appears advantageous for routine ovariohysterectomy in clinically healthy bitches.

Keywords

canine epidural anaesthesia xylazine bupivacaine ketamine ovariohysterectomy

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Copyright (c) 2026 Z. B. Yusuf, A. U. Zaifada, S. Muhammad, M. S. Ramalan, M. A. Idris (Author)

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Author Biography

A. U. Zaifada, Department of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, P.M.B. 117, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria.

Senior Lecturer, Department of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, P.M.B. 117, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria.

How to Cite
Cardiovascular and Haematological Responses to Xylazine Sedation combined with Bupivacaine-Ketamine Epidural Anaesthesia in Bitches Undergoing Ovariohysterectomy. (2026). Sahel Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 23(2), 18-25. https://doi.org/10.54058/k7aycq74
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How to Cite

Cardiovascular and Haematological Responses to Xylazine Sedation combined with Bupivacaine-Ketamine Epidural Anaesthesia in Bitches Undergoing Ovariohysterectomy. (2026). Sahel Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 23(2), 18-25. https://doi.org/10.54058/k7aycq74

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