Development of novel intravenous regional anaesthetic technique for desensitization of hoof in cattle

Abstract

The cattle having hoof diseases were selected in the study and divided into 2 groups having 6 animals in each group. For induction of intravenous regional anesthesia, tourniquet was placed circumferentially at the metacarpus and just below dewclaw in group 1 and 2, respectively. Mixture of lignocaine and ketamine (L+K) (4 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg b. wt.) was injected in the radial vein in group 1 animals. However, in group 2 animals the dose of L+K was halved (2 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg b. wt.) and injected in the dorsal common digital vein III. The anesthetic potency was monitored by observing the HR, PR, RR, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and SPO2. In group 1 the heart rate decreased significantly at 10 min interval. Peripheral oxygen saturation significantly decreased up to 60 min and 40 minutes in group 1 and 2 animals, respectively. Systolic pressure significantly increased at 60 minute interval in group 1 animals. After removal of tourniquet, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure was significantly increased in group 2. Sensory and motor block onset time was less in group 2 as compared to group 1. Sensory and motor block recovery time was long in group 2 as compared to group 1 animals. It was concluded that novel IVRA technique was more safe as compared to standard IVRA for the hoof anesthesia in cattle because low doses of local anesthetic are required in this technique with early sensory and motor block, and prolonged effect.