ANALGESIC AND PHYSIOLOGIC EFFECTS OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE AND MEDETOMIDINE IN DOMESTIC GOATS Authors: Z. Shah, T. Shah, I. Ahmad, S. Ahmad, S. B. Khan, T. Hussain, Abdullah, M. Sohail Nazif Journal: Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (JAPS) ISSN: 1018-7081 (Print), 2309-8694 (Online) Volume: 33 Issue: 6 Pages: 1439-1445 Year: 2023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2023.6.0683 URL: https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2023.6.0683 Publisher: Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum Abstract:

To evaluate the analgesic and physiological effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and medetomindine in domestic goats. Thirty healthy goats (aged 1-2 years and body weight 22±3.17 kg) were divided into five groups (6 goats/group). Group 1 animals were considered as a control; groups 2 and 3 animals were given 5μg kg-1 and 20μg kg-1 medetomidine IM respectively; group 4 animals were stimulated with EA for 30 mins and group 5 animals were given EA in combination with 5μg kg-1 medetomidine IM. The pain threshold in groups 2 and 3 animals were increased significantly (p < 0.05) at 15 to 60 mins compared to group 1. Group 5 animals showed an increase (p < 0.05) in pain threshold at 15 to 60 mins compared to animals in group 2 and group 4. Goats in groups 2 and 3 showed decrease (p < 0.05) in heart rate, respiratory rate, mean arterial pressure and rectal temperature, whereas animals in group 5 showed less effect on these physiological parameters. Furthermore, goats in group 5 did not any effect on blood cell count, serum chemistry, or liver health status. The combination of EA plus 5 µg kg-1 medetomidine produced adequate antinociception with minimal physiological alteration suggesting that, an effective strategy for clinical observation and minor surgical procedures in goat.

Keywords: Analgesic, electroacupuncture, goats, medetomidine, physiologic effect