Analgesic, sedative and haemodynamic effects of spinally administered romifidine in female goats

The present study was designed to evaluate the analgesic, sedative and haemodynamic effects of spinally administered romifidine in goats. Ten female healthy goats weighing 14-18 kg were randomly divided into two groups, I and II, of five animals each. Romifidine was administered spinally at rates of 50 and 75 microg/kg body weight in the animals of groups I and II, respectively, into the lumbosacral space. The treatments were compared based on their effects on analgesia, sedation, ataxia, heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, electrocardiogram and haemato-biochemical parameters. The objective parameters were analysed statistically using paired t-test and Duncan's multiple range test. Depth of analgesia was measured by recording the response to pin prick at different regions and was graded on a scale from 0 to 3. Moderate to complete analgesia was recorded at perineum and flank in both groups. Sedation was moderate in both groups. Ataxia was observed in all the animals but it was more pronounced in group II. Heart rate decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in both groups. A decrease in respiration rate was also recorded in both groups but it was more significant (P < 0.01) and for longer duration in group II as compared to group I. A slight increase in rectal temperature was also observed in both groups. Mean arterial pressure decreased and central venous pressure increased significantly (P < 0.01) in both groups but changes were more pronounced in group II. Electrocardiogram changes in group I included bradycardia, increased QT interval and increased or biphasic T wave but in animals of group II, in addition to these changes, occasional sinus dysrhythmia, increased PR interval and second-degree heart block were also recorded. Haemoglobin and packed cell volume decreased non-significantly in both groups. A significant (P < 0.01) increase in blood glucose and non-significant changes in plasma proteins, urea nitrogen and creatinine were recorded in both groups. The results of the study revealed that romifidine at the rate of 50 microg/kg could produce moderate to complete analgesia of perineum and flank after spinal administration into the lumbosacral space in goats. The analgesia could not be enhanced further by increasing the dose of romifidine up to 75 microg/kg, however, ataxia and cardiopulmonary and haemodynamic side-effects became more apparent.